Cross-eyed Optimist

Book excerpt: Eye muscle surgery is the second most common operation after cataracts. In most cases it's unnecessary and ineffective-and can lead to a lifetime of trauma for children. Before considering eye surgery for yourself or your child, read this true story. After developing crossed eyes (strabismus) as an infant, Robert underwent two eye muscle operations by the age of five. He was left with two eyes that appeared straight but did not work together effectively. All his life, doctors told him he'd never see in 3D. Like the four percent of people who have a binocular vision disorder, he saw his world as "flat." Worse, he felt broken and learning disabled, enduring lifelong difficulties with reading, concentration, behavior, spatial awareness and more. Despite his vision challenges, he became a pilot, master boat builder, MBA recipient and life coach -- by first hiding his problem, then learning how to adapt to a world he couldn't see properly. At 70, he discovered vision therapy -- a non-invasive method of retraining the brain and harnessing the power of neuroplasticity to see in 3D. This is Robert's story of a lifelong struggle, and the joy of finally getting his eyes to work as a team. As an optimist, he never gave up, and now encourages others to consider vision therapy, a proven alternative to surgery.