Humanity in Optometry | Look—These Vision Care Professionals Infuse Warmth into Every Professional Moment of Care

At Dongguan Aier Eye Hospital, warmth is always present. It dwells in the soft lighting of examination rooms, hides in the clear laughter of children, and blends into the gentle care of our medical staff. We take our cameras as pens and light as ink to host our first staff photography contest, capturing those ordinary yet touching moments of warmth within our medical services. Let these extraordinary moments be seen and cherished.

As the back-to-school season brings a peak in vision screenings, the first installment of the Dongguan Aier Staff Photography Contest exhibition invites us into the Optometry and Pediatric Ophthalmology Department. Witness how these dedicated optometrists safeguard children's clear vision with expertise and passion, and experience the beauty and warmth of their daily work.

The warmest connection? Becoming their peer in an instant!

“Kindergarten Tales Banish Little Anxieties”

Optometry and Pediatric Ophthalmology Department  Li Kaixin

When little ones first come for an eye exam, a touch of nervousness is natural. I pulled him down to sit beside me, smiling as I chatted about fun kindergarten stories. His eyes lit up instantly, and he chattered away about joyful days with his friends. As we chatted, his unease quietly melted away, and he obediently went through the exam...

As a qualified optometric healthcare provider, “winning over the little ones” is an essential hidden skill. My go-to move is “instantly becoming a peer”—squatting down to meet the child at eye level. After all, who would be afraid of a “big friend” who's just as tall as them?

Daily life in the optometry department is a grand “three-way collaboration.” There's always that first-time kid who cries at the sight of the “big eye” of the refractor, clutching their parent's shirttail and refusing to let go. At that moment, I step into the child's perspective and communicate in their language: mimicking animal sounds, making exaggerated expressions, and inviting them to play games. This makes them see the healthcare provider as a “fun adult.” When the child finally leans in and asks, “Sis, when are we gonna play games?”, I know I've got this one in the bag.

Though the process takes longer than expected, seeing them transform from “crying and wanting to run away” to “smiling and cooperating” warms my heart more than sipping hot milk tea.

As optometrists, our sense of accomplishment may lack earth-shattering moments, but the warmth of this work lies in the conversations had while crouching down, the crisp sound of stickers peeling off, and the little faces beaming with dimples. Safeguarding each pair of curious, bright eyes is our most ordinary—yet most worthy—source of satisfaction.

Gentle Companionship Witnessing Every Transformation

Transformation: Princess Xixi and the Pretty Sister

Optometry and Pediatric Ophthalmology Department  Fan Xiaolin

When Xixi, a child with amblyopia, first came for treatment, her vision was only 0.4, and she was very introverted. Through daily specialized vision training, watching her vision steadily improve and her personality gradually become more cheerful and lively, this growth and transformation filled me with a profound sense of accomplishment and happiness. Our relationship evolved from strangers to close companions, affectionately calling each other “Princess Xi Xi” and “Pretty Sister.”

Our training days were filled with encouragement, sharing, and laughter. We crafted a customized training plan for Xi Xi using professional techniques, easing her fatigue through gentle companionship. This warmth was not only captured by Xixi's children's camera but also preserved in my photo album, becoming a unique treasure between us.

Personalized Care, Safeguarding Beautiful Childhood Vision

“Two Sets of Twins Leveling Up Together”

Optometry and Pediatric Ophthalmology Department  Liao Yuwei

Two sets of twins—four little companions—joined hands to embark on a visual training journey at Dongguan Aier Eye Hospital. I couldn't resist capturing this delightful scene. Facing these four young patients, our medical team tailored three personalized treatment plans based on their individual visual conditions, ensuring each child received the most suitable professional care.

Under the patient guidance of the vision trainers, the children learned to observe and encourage each other during the exercises. What could have been a tedious journey to improve visual function transformed into a joyful experience. May these four little companions continue to “level up and defeat monsters” together, each gaining a brighter, clearer world. This is the shared aspiration of all optometrists at Dongguan Aier: to treat every patient with care, using personalized treatment plans to craft a bespoke “Guardian Plan” for each child's eye health.

The moment our eyes meet at eye level is the most healing.

“Guardians of the 4-Year-Old's Vision”

Liu Mingzhu

Optometry and Pediatric Ophthalmology Department

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

A 4-year-old child inevitably feels scared and uncooperative in an unfamiliar examination setting, but optometrists always find clever ways to ease this anxiety. I usually squat down to meet the child's eye level, using stereoscopic images with more pronounced visual stimuli to capture their attention and let them experience the wonder of sight. Gradually, the child lets down their guard and willingly cooperates with the examination.

This simple gesture subtly bridges the gap between us and the child, while also instilling a profound sense of reassurance in the parents watching nearby. By joining forces with parents, we collectively safeguard the child's precious little “world of sight.” In this moment, the mutual trust and warmth crystallize into the most heartwarming scene. In a child's world, gentle companionship and equal communication are always the best ways to dispel fear.

Small Acts of Kindness Hold the Warmest Care

“The Handover of Love”

Optometry and Pediatric Ophthalmology Department, Wu Shiyan

The warmth of Dongguan Aier extends not only to the children seeking treatment but also to every parent in need. When a mother arrived alone with her 8-month-old baby for an examination, overwhelmed by the task, a nurse stepped forward and said, “Let me hold the baby for a moment so you can rest.”

A simple phrase and a heartwarming gesture completed a “shift change” of love, instantly easing the mother's fatigue and anxiety so she could focus on her examination. At Dongguan Aier, the care provided by medical staff extends far beyond diagnosis and treatment—it is woven into these thoughtful details. A small act of kindness bridges the gap between doctor and patient, transforming the hospital into a place filled with warmth.

These moments captured by the lens are merely a day in the life of Dongguan Aier's optometry team, yet they stand as genuine testament to their dedication in safeguarding every pair of eyes. They protect each set of eyes with professional expertise, ease every anxiety with patient companionship, and build bridges of communication through warm care—weaving the principle of “service above all” into every aspect of their work.

Thus begins the series “Humanity at Aier: Stories of the Eye.” Moving forward, we will continue to document heartwarming moments of service at Dongguan Aier Eye Hospital through words and images, sharing touching stories between doctors and patients to convey the warmth and strength of ophthalmic care. Stay tuned for the next installment.

Because of passion, we persevere.

Because of warmth, we move forward.

Dongguan Aier Eye Hospital steadfastly upholds the compassionate spirit of medicine,

safeguarding clear vision for everyone,

making EYE more heartwarming.