My Eyes, an Australian feature written, produced, and led by optometrist and filmmaker Tsu Shan Chambers, was shaped by a 5-year development process grounded in real experiences.^1,2 Speaking with the Eye Care Network, Chambers explained that the project traces back to her time volunteering at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, where she served as a personal assistant to vision-impaired judo athletes while she was an optometry student.¹ “It actually came about when I volunteered at the Paralympic Games… and I was actually the personal assistant to the vision-impaired judo athletes,” she recalled. The encounter left a lasting impression and ultimately became the foundation for the film.

🎙️ Listen to the full podcast: Cinema as advocacy: The eye health message behind "My Eyes"

My Eyes follows Alana, an optometrist whose daughter is diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. The diagnosis forces Alana to revisit a past connection with Nico, a judo athlete played by Paralympic gold medallist Eduardo Ávila Sánchez. Chambers noted that casting him was intentional: “I really wanted to have someone with a vision impairment to play that role… that was really really important for us.” His involvement also shifted parts of the script to reflect his eye condition from childhood and background, leading the production to film in both Australia and Mexico. Adam Garcia and Kieu Chinh also join the cast in key family roles.

For Chambers, the film is as much about public health messaging as it is about storytelling. She described My Eyes as “a love story for our industry… wanting to subtly raise awareness about preventative eye care and inclusion.” With 75% of vision loss in Australia being preventable, she hopes the film encourages earlier engagement with eye health.¹ “Hey guys, it's a really great idea to get your eyes tested,” she said, highlighting the importance of timely detection, particularly for inherited conditions like retinitis pigmentosa.

How important is accuracy for storytelling?

Authenticity was prioritized throughout development. Chambers collaborated with ophthalmology and optometry experts and invited feedback from consultants with lived experience of vision impairment. “We recorded [the screenplay] so that one of my consultants who is blind could listen… and give us feedback,” she explained. Ensuring clinical accuracy—especially around the experimental stem-cell concepts depicted—was essential, with specialist input guiding how these aspects were represented.

The film also reflects a collaborative public-health mission. Organizations including the International Blind Sports Federation, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, Vision 2020, the Fred Hollows Foundation, and the Society of Ophthalmologists of Australia have supported the project, she noted.¹ Chambers emphasized the shared purpose across the sector: “We've all got the same goal… trying to raise that awareness.” She hopes My Eyes will serve as an educational tool internationally, strengthening understanding of early detection, inclusive practice, and the lived realities of vision impairment.

The film made its debut in select markets in Australia and New Zealand in the Spring 2025, and is available for viewing on Amazon Prime Video.

REFERENCES

1. Chambers TS, Stevenson S. Cinema as advocacy: The eye health message behind "My Eyes". Ophthalmology Times. Accessed November 6, 2025. https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/cinema-as-advocacy-the-eye-health-message-behind-my-eyes-

2. Official Trailer MY EYES (2024, Tsu Shan Chambers, Adam Garcia, Eduardo Ávila Sánchez). Accessed October 31, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksuDH0ZgOQI