About Orthoptics

Orthoptists are an integral part of the medical eye care team. As part of this team they:

• Carry out detailed procedures to investigate problems of the coordination of the two eyes and how they work as a pair. Some of these problems result in strabismus (turned eye), double vision, eye strain and amblyopia (lazy eye).
• Are involved in the management of these problems though eye exercises, glasses, occlusion (eye patching) and providing information for the eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) if surgery is required.
• Perform detailed assessments of the structure and function of the eye and vision to assist in the management of disorders of the eye, such as cataract, glaucoma and retinal disorders.
• Prescribe glasses under referral from ophthalmologists or optometrists.
• Assist in helping people when vision loss causes significant problems in their day to day activities, such as driving.
• Carry out cutting edge research in different aspects of the eye and vision. These include public health, pediatric vision, refractive errors, eye movements and vision standards for drivers and specific occupations.