A California middle-school student has developed an artificial intelligence (AI)–powered wearable device aimed at detecting early eye misalignment in patients with strabismus.
Aaryan Balani, a 14-year-old eighth grader from Cerritos, said he was motivated to create the technology after developing strabismus himself following a childhood injury.
“My head hit, like, the corner of the bathroom sink,” he told ABC7, adding that others often notice the condition and comment on it.
Balani explained that, like many people with strabismus, he is able to consciously realign his eye when he becomes aware it is drifting, but without that awareness the deviation can persist. This insight led him to design a visor-like device, called EYEVA, which alerts the wearer when misalignment begins.
“It will beep … and you’re like, ‘Okay, now I need to be aware of my face,’” Balani said. He noted that, in theory, repeated use could help retrain eye alignment over time.
According to Balani, the prototype was developed using a 3D printer, small cameras and AI, and underwent five iterations over four months. He suggested the device could eventually reduce the need for invasive corrective surgery if proven effective at scale.
“It’s not just like a few hundred people in the world that have this condition. It’s around 100 million people,” he told ABC7.
The project received top honours at the Orange County Science & Engineering Fair in March. Balani said his next steps include pursuing clinical trials and seeking approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
Reflecting on his experience, Balani encouraged other young innovators to act on their ideas. “The moment you get an idea, start working on it,” he told ABC7. “See if it’s a viable idea and try to continue with it as long as you can.”
