What does an orthoptist do?

Orthoptists are often the first healthcare professional involved in the diagnosis of the following conditions:

• double vision
• wobbly eyes (nystagmus)
• droopy lids (ptosis)

Orthoptic care for adults

Orthoptists investigate, diagnose, monitor and manage eye symptoms related to eye misalignment and near focusing problems, such as squint and problems with using the eyes together. We also provide specialist diagnostics for neurological visual field assessment.

Orthoptic care for children

Orthoptists investigate, diagnose, monitor and manage visual disorders related to eye development such as lazy eye (amblyopia), wobbly eyes (nystagmus), and eye misalignment assessment and management.

Orthoptic care for babies

Babies, especially those which are low birth-weight and premature, are more likely to have vision and eye coordination problems.

Orthoptists evaluate if your baby’s vision is at the level expected for their age and also screen for signs of eye control weakness such as squint or wobbly eyes, and whether your baby is using his/her eyes as a pair (binocular vision).

Read about specialist orthoptic care.

Images: An orthoptist assesses for squint (top) and for near focusing problems (bottom)