SOME 29 cross-eyed children underwent strabismus surgery to correct their eye deformity and get a chance of a normal life.

A team of doctors from Manila are in the city to perform the surgery, in line with the city's Tuwid Mata Program.

Dr. Carlo Antonio Romero of the Cagayan de Oro Eyesight Board said the program is an offshoot of another project called Gift of Sight for Children, where the city provides eyeglasses for public elementary school kids.

While visiting these schools, Romero said they saw plenty of children who are cross-eyed (libat) which prompted them to create the program.

Last year, 13 children underwent the operation and another 29 underwent the same operation over the weekend.

In a private hospital, a strabismus surgery costs about P80,000 to P120,000. The operation held in JR Borja General Hospital is for free.

Romero said this is also an opportunity for local doctors to learn about the operation.

"An opportunity for opthalmologists to study and refresh, this is also a transfer of knowledge. We can also encourage take up pediatric opthalmologists," he said.

Mayor Oscar Moreno lauded the doctors for performing a life-changing operation. (PJ Orias)