Orthoptists - South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Orthoptist covering up one eye and smiling

Orthoptists are 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 work with people of all ages maintaining and improving vision.

Orthoptists work independently and with a wider team and can diagnose and support new and ongoing conditions.

Miv, specialist orthoptist

Why did you want to be an orthoptist?

There was always something that fascinated me about eyes. I wore glasses from the age of seven. This just seemed more interesting than being an optician.

Day-to-day tasks?

I see children and adults with eye problems. From babies where we have concerns and need to find out what they can see and if their eyes are working together properly to adults who have suddenly started seeing two of things.

No two patients are the same; I can go from diagnosing strokes and aneurysms to playing games with a small child to get them to work with me.

We see patients with a wide range of conditions affecting their vision. We are trained to offer a range of treatments, including eye patches, eye exercises, prisms or glasses. We also commonly work with patients with neurological conditions, such as stroke, brain tumours or multiple sclerosis.

The majority of orthoptists are employed by the NHS in hospitals or community eye services. Although many also work in rehabilitation centres and special and mainstream schools. Orthoptists will often work in wider eye care teams, alongside ophthalmologists and sometimes optometrists.

Most fulfilling part of the job?

For me there are two things, I enjoy having a person come in with debilitating double vision and leaving with it gone. I also enjoy the challenge of getting children to work with me to assess their eyes.