For 74-year-old Virginia de Guzman, a misaligned right eye had been a source of teasing and shame since childhood. But after decades of living with the condition, she finally found hope—thanks to free surgery from a charitable eye center.
A Lifelong Struggle
De Guzman’s strabismus (squint) began after a febrile seizure in her toddler years. Her right eye turned outward, making her a target of ridicule. Though she learned to cope, she secretly wished for a fix—even as she built a loving marriage and family.
“I love her. I don’t mind how her eyes look at all. She’s good-natured—that’s what matters,” said her husband, Miguel, who stood by her for 40 years.
A Chance for Change
A friend told De Guzman about the Tzu Chi Eye Center in Sta. Mesa, Manila, which offers free eye surgeries for those in need. She immediately visited the charity hospital, run by the Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Philippines.
There, Dr. Catherine Qui-Macaraig, a volunteer strabismus specialist, diagnosed her with cataracts. The doctor warned that fixing her squint would be risky due to her age—older eye tissues are fragile and harder to operate on.
But De Guzman was determined.
“I could live with cataracts, Doc, but I couldn’t live another second with crossed eyes,” she told the doctor.
A Delicate but Successful Surgery
Moved by her plea, Dr. Macaraig performed the complex procedure on March 26.
“The conjunctiva (eye skin) is very thin and breaks easily during surgery,” Macaraig explained afterward. Despite the challenges, the operation was a success.
A Newfound Confidence
De Guzman, who sells coconut juice with her husband in Rizal province, was overjoyed.
“Before I leave this world, I finally feel confident—no more hiding or shame,” she said.
Thanks to compassionate doctors and free healthcare, her lifelong dream came true.
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