Dr. Ciancia was hugely influential in the world of ophthalmology, specialising in the areas of
strabismus and paediatric ophthalmology. In his early life he studied kinesiology, followed by
medicine at the University of Buenos Aires.
He was Head of the Ophthalmology Department at the Children’s Hospital of Buenos Aires,
Argentina, as well as being an active teacher and researcher known for his description of the
characteristic of congenital esotropia.
In 1962 he discovered a type of strabismus that bears his name: Ciancia syndrome.
He founded the Paediatric Ophthalmology Foundation. His teachings left such an impact on the
students that they founded a special group of Dr Ciancia’s fellows.
In 1971, he also founded the Argentine Association for the Study of the Recovery of the Blind and
the Amblíope (ASAERCA) motivated by the idea of making the blind also able to study, work, and
access to medical attention.
In 2011, he was the recipient of the prestigious title of Prócer de la Medicina Ophthalmológica from
the Argentine Medical Association where colleagues celebrated his enormous contribution to
ophthalmology saying that he saved the sight of thousands of children.
In his spare time, he was a glider pilot and sailboat crewman.
Dr Alberto Ciancia made an enormous impact on many people’s lives within the world of
ophthalmology. He was well-known for his generosity to his patients and their families and will be
hugely missed.

“WSPOS recognises the parting of Alberto Ciancia, a giant in Strabismus who will be tremendously
missed. We are fortunate to have a fellow of his, Claudia Polo, as a member of the Connectivity
Bureau and who has penned this beautiful tribute to him” Executive Bureau, WSPOS
“Your voice was heard from Argentina in international Strabismology and Pediatric
Ophthalmology.
In your long life of study, work, and teaching, you shone as a teacher, as a mentor, and as a friend.
You did everything working and loving, as you said.
Thank you for the flame you lit in us, it’s still in us and it will continue to burn endlessly.
May this last flight take you even higher.” Claudia Polo