Rabat – Wiam Eljai is Morocco-based orthoptist whose work spans from functional visual rehabilitation to public awareness campaigns.
From children struggling with schoolwork to adults battling digital fatigue, she’s changing the way we see, and understand, our vision.
“My work focuses on detecting and treating visual coordination problems in both children and adults, and I’m also actively involved in public awareness through media and educational outreach about the importance of early visual screening,” Wiam told MWN Lifestyle.
What drew her to orthoptics?
“What attracted me most was the connection between vision and the brain,” Wiam clarified.
“Orthoptics is not only about eyesight, it’s about how the eyes work together, how vision supports learning, posture, balance, and even confidence.”
And in today’s screen-obsessed culture, those small imbalances are more common than ever.
“Prolonged screen exposure doesn’t usually damage the eye structurally, but it creates functional problems such as eye strain, dryness, headaches, and reduced attention,” she added.
“Over time, especially in children, it can affect visual development and binocular coordination,” she says.
When the eyes stop working together
Parents often miss subtle warning signs in children.
Wiam pointed out that, “Common signs include difficulty concentrating, avoiding reading, headaches after school, covering one eye, tilting the head, losing their place while reading, or poor academic performance despite effort.”
“A first screening is recommended before the age of 3, and definitely before starting school. Early detection of amblyopia or binocular vision disorders is essential for effective treatment,” she stressed.
Untreated vision problems can affect confidence and learning.
“Vision problems can make reading exhausting and frustrating. Over time, children may lose confidence, avoid learning tasks, or be misinterpreted as inattentive or unmotivated, when the issue is actually visual.”
The truth about strabismus
Strabismus is often misunderstood.
“Many people think strabismus is purely cosmetic. In reality, it’s a functional condition affecting binocular vision, depth perception, and sometimes neurological processing,” Wiam explained.
Treatment today is highly personalized, depending on the cause and “may include glasses, orthoptic rehabilitation, prism adaptation, or surgery. Today, management is highly personalized and often very successful when detected early.”
Training your eyes, daily
For healthier eyes, Wiam recommended three simple habits: “Follow the 20-20-20 rule during screen use, spend more time outdoors, and ensure proper reading distance and lighting.”
Wiam highlighted that “Blue-light glasses can improve comfort for some people, especially during prolonged screen exposure, but they are not a solution on their own. Visual hygiene habits remain far more important.”
Her advice is clear: “Using screens continuously without breaks reduces blinking, increases eye strain, and overloads the visual system.”
Even beauty routines have an impact. Poor eyelid hygiene, expired cosmetics, artificial lashes, and excessive screen exposure “can all contribute to dryness, irritation, and ocular surface problems.”
The vision for the future
According to Wiam, technology and AI are transforming her field.
“Technology is transforming orthoptics through advanced diagnostic tools, digital visual training platforms, and AI-assisted screening. These innovations allow earlier detection and more personalized rehabilitation strategies,” she said.
And do the next generation face challenges?
Well, Wiam nodded, stating, “Yes, especially functional vision disorders related to lifestyle changes. Increased screen time and reduced outdoor exposure are major risk factors.”
Restoring more than sight
What keeps her motivated?
“Seeing the moment when a child who struggled with reading gains confidence again, or when a patient finally understands why they had persistent headaches. Improving quality of life through vision is incredibly rewarding,” Wiam shares.
Her final advice is simple but crucial: “Don’t wait for symptoms to appear before checking your vision. Early screening can prevent long-term visual difficulties and significantly improve learning, comfort, and daily performance.”
