When 13-year-old Thiago Rojas, who is autistic and has developmental delays, began rubbing and tapping his eyes, his mother initially thought it was a new behavioral pattern. But a referral to Donny Suh, MD, chief of pediatric ophthalmology at the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, revealed a rare and serious condition: severe cataracts in both eyes, seen in fewer than 0.01% of children.
Thiago’s inability to communicate his vision loss had led to frustration and behavioral challenges. Suh and his team adapted their approach to accommodate Thiago’s sensory sensitivities and performed two successful surgeries in 2024, removing the cataracts one eye at a time.
The results were life-changing. Thiago’s vision improved dramatically, and he now engages happily in activities like solving puzzles and watching music videos. His story underscores the importance of comprehensive eye exams for children with developmental delays, as vision issues can significantly impact emotional and social development.
Thanks to the compassionate and specialized care UCI Health provided, Thiago is now thriving.