UCI Health restores vision for autistic teen with rare cataracts - Summary - MDSpire

Feature

UCI Health restores vision for autistic teen with rare cataracts

A rare diagnosis of childhood cataracts left 13-year-old patient nearly blind until expert care at UCI Health gave him back his sight.

October 31, 2025
1 min

UCI Health

Share

Thiago Rojas, a 13-year-old autistic boy with developmental delays, was discovered to have severe cataracts, a condition affecting less than 0.01% of children, after exhibiting unusual eye-rubbing behavior. Under the care of Dr. Donny Suh at UCI Health, Thiago underwent successful cataract surgeries in 2024, greatly improving his vision and alleviating associated behavioral challenges. This case highlights the necessity for thorough eye examinations in developmentally delayed children, as undiagnosed vision problems can hinder emotional and social growth.