Website: What is an Orthoptist? - British and Irish Orthoptic Society
What does an Orthoptist do?
Orthoptists are the experts in diagnosing and treating defects in eye movement and problems with how the eyes work together, called binocular vision. These can be caused by issues with the muscles around the eyes or defects in the nerves enabling the brain to communicate with the eyes.
Orthoptists see patients with a wide range of conditions affecting their vision. Patients may be directly experiencing symptoms such as blurred, oscillating or double vision, or they may exhibit outward signs, such as misalignment or uncontrolled movement of the eyes or abnormal head positions.
They are trained to offer a range of treatments in the management or correction of these conditions. This may include eye patches, eye exercises, prisms or glasses.
They also commonly work with patients with neurological conditions, such as stroke, brain tumours or multiple sclerosis, as part of a wider multi professional team. They help patients to manage the visual symptoms of their condition and provide advice for the visual and general rehabilitation of these patients.
Where do Orthoptists work?
- The majority of Orthoptists are employed by the NHS in hospitals or community eye services.
- They are very often part of wider eye care teams, alongside Ophthalmologists and sometimes Optometrists.
- Some work in rehabilitation centres working with patients with neurological conditions.
- Mainstream and special schools
- Child development centres
- Adult day care facilities.
How to become an Orthoptist?
Work experience
If you are interested in a career as an Orthoptist and want to try some work experience you can contact your local NHS Trust, voluntary or private organisations and they may be able to facilitate experience for you.
You can also find out more about applying for work experience and shadowing here: Work Shadow an Orthoptist - British and Irish Orthoptic Society
University route
University courses to study Orthoptics are either:
- Undergraduate - takes around 3 years full time to complete depending on the university chosen
- Postgraduate- takes around 2 years full time to complete depending on the university chosen
You can find a full list of universities offering Orthoptics courses here:Studying Orthoptics - British and Irish Orthoptic Society
Apprenticeship route
There is not currently a route to become an Orthoptist through an apprenticeship.
How to become a Orthoptist Assistant/Support Worker?
Orthoptist assistants/support workers positions are advertised locally through recruiting organisations-you will need to look at your local organisations vacancies in order to become an assistant/support worker, you could call them or look at their website.
