By Sandra
Perfectionism has always been my Achilles’ heel. Growing up in Spain, I was the girl who wanted everything to be just right—grades, friendships, even the way I presented myself to the world. But there was one thing I couldn’t control, no matter how hard I tried: my right eye. Diagnosed with amblyopia, or a lazy eye, as a child, I felt like I was carrying a flaw I could never fix. It wasn’t just about the blurred vision or the occasional double images; it was the constant reminder that I wasn’t perfect.
For years, I tried to hide it. I avoided photos, tilted my head to minimize the appearance of my lazy eye, and even avoided certain social situations where I felt self-conscious. Glasses helped a little, but they didn’t solve the root problem. I felt stuck, as if this was just my fate—a lifelong companion I’d have to live with.
Then, three and a half years ago, everything changed. I was living in Portugal by then, working as a freelance graphic designer. One evening, while scrolling through YouTube, I stumbled upon Melissa Daniels’ channel, Strabismus to Stereopsis. Melissa’s story resonated with me deeply. Like me, she had struggled with a lazy eye, but she had found a way to improve her vision through vision therapy. That’s where I first heard about Equal-Eyes.
I was intrigued but skeptical. After all so many years of adulthood can you fix a lazy eye using one VR vision therapy app? But Melissa’s journey gave me hope. I decided to give it a try.
The first few weeks with Equal-Eyes were humbling. The exercises were simple but challenging, and I quickly realized how much my brain had been compensating for my lazy eye. It was frustrating at times, but I reminded myself of Melissa’s words: “Progress takes time, but every small step counts.”
I committed to the program, dedicating time every day to the exercises. As a perfectionist, I approached it with the same determination I applied to everything else in my life. But this time, it wasn’t about being perfect—it was about progress. Slowly, I began to notice changes. My right eye felt stronger, more engaged. The double images became less frequent, and my depth perception improved.
One of the most transformative moments came about a year into the program. I was walking along the cobblestone streets of Lisbon, a city I’d fallen in love with since moving to Portugal. For the first time, I noticed the intricate details of the tiles on the buildings—the patterns, the colors, the textures. It was as if I was seeing the world in high definition. I stood there, tears in my eyes, realizing how much I’d been missing.
Three and a half years later, I can confidently say that Equal-Eyes has changed my life. My lazy eye is no longer lazy. It’s an active, functioning part of my vision. I no longer feel self-conscious in photos or social situations. I can work on my designs with greater precision, and I’ve even taken up photography as a hobby—something I never thought I’d be able to do.
But the biggest change has been in how I see myself. I’ve learned that perfection isn’t about having no flaws; it’s about embracing the journey of growth. Equal-Eyes didn’t just improve my vision; it helped me see myself—and the world—in a whole new light.
To anyone out there struggling with a lazy eye or any vision challenge, I want to say this: don’t give up. There are solutions, and sometimes, they come in the most unexpected ways. For me, it was Equal-Eyes, discovered through Melissa Daniels’ inspiring channel. It gave me the clarity I’d been searching for, both in my vision and in my life.
Here’s to seeing the world—and ourselves—with new eyes.
Sandra
Lisbon, Portugal