An Oxford Academy eighth-grader is turning a personal challenge into a creative invention that could help millions of people better manage a common vision condition.
Inspired by his own experience with intermittent strabismus, also known as eye drift, Aaryan Balani has developed EYEVA.AI — an artificial intelligence-powered device designed to detect when a user’s eyes begin to drift out of alignment and prompt them to self-correct in real time.
ABC7 reported that the prototype is made from a pair of 3D-printed goggles equipped with miniature cameras that tracks eye movement and delivers an audible alert when eye drift is detected — offering immediate feedback that could strengthen a user’s ability to better control their vision.
After four months of development and conducting a pilot study, Aaryan’s invention has gained regional recognition. The EYEVA.AI earned second place in the Biomedical Engineering category for the junior division at the 71st annual Orange County Science and Engineering Fair, along with the ALDM Young Investigator in Health Science Award and praise from industry experts.
“People who have been working in this field for many, many years have said, yes, this is a viable product, and this works really well,” Aaryan said. His high-tech goggles are also being considered for an additional honor at the Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge this September.
Next, he hopes to connect with medical professionals to conduct clinical trials and explore whether the technology could serve as a long-term solution for individuals living with eye drift.
Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:
- Six Orange County educators, teaching kindergarten all the way through adult transition students, learned they were selected as the 2027 OC Teachers of the Year through surprise visits from County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean, award sponsors and more. Reporters and camera crews from publications like the OC Register also joined in capturing the moments of celebration at each school campus.
- In the latest episode of the FutureCurrent podcast, County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean and educator Lainie Rowell sit down with “Love on the Spectrum” star and neurodiversity advocate Adan Correa as he reflected on his experience growing up on the autism spectrum and the impact of having a support system to help students succeed.
- Orange County teachers and administrators making an impact in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics are invited to apply for the Outstanding STEM Educator Awards presented by OCDE in partnership with Cox Communications and the Inside the Outdoors Foundation.
- Approximately 42 students across Orange County were recently awarded a combined $431,000 in scholarships, with 57 seniors earning the title of AVID Senior Standouts — recognizing their academic preparation and commitment to college readiness.
- County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean reflected on the importance of resilience and community support as keynote speaker at the Step Beyond Annual Breakfast, hosted by nonprofit afterschool community dance organization, The Wooden Floor.
- OC Pathways student ambassador and Estancia High School senior Rosselyn Ruiz traveled to Sacramento alongside Coastline ROP leaders to share how career education shaped her educational path and represent Orange County students at the state level.
- An inclusive sports day at Edison High School brought together students of all abilities from Huntington Beach Union High School District and mentors from Westcliff University for a day of teamwork and connection through adaptive activities.
- A Fullerton student raised more than $2,200 to support the Challenger Little League program to help expand opportunities for athletes with disabilities to participate in baseball.
- Students at Fullerton’s Orangethorpe Elementary School celebrated Earth Day last week with “Orca-Fest,” a student-led event that featured activities focused on sustainability and environmental awareness.
- A new policy at National University will guarantee admission for California community college students who earn an associate’s transfer degree, creating a clearer path to four-year completion.
- Recent data from the California Student Aid Commission has found that while there was a 9 percent increase in students submitting FAFSA applications statewide this year, the number of high schoolers applying from mixed immigration status families dropped by about 8 percent.
- An Assembly bill that recently passed through the Education Committee would create a new education commissioner to lead the California Department of Education instead of the elected state superintendent of public instruction, according to EdSource.
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