Orthoptists
Orthoptists diagnose and treat visual system disorders such as binocular vision and eye movement impairments.
If you are an individual who is interested in health sciences and interested in the field of eye care, then an orthoptist career can be an ideal option for you.
Orthoptists job includes testing patient vision and treating chronic diseases or disorders. Besides, they diagnose medical conditions and examine patients to assess general physical conditions. They also explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
To be eligible to become an orthoptist, aspirants usually earn a degree in health science, biological science or vision science at the college level, followed by a postgraduate major in orthoptics. An entry to postgraduate courses usually requires completion of a relevant bachelor’s degree.
An aspiring orthoptist education should be well-heeled working with both adults and children, possessing a smooth communication ability to explain various treatments and conditions to the patients. They need to be organized, possess decision-making skills and have an eye for detail.
A career as an orthoptist is a rewarding and diverse career, with graduates readily finding employment at private practice, low vision agencies, universities and eye research centres.
An orthoptist’s salary is commensurate to the job's experience, expertise, and location.
To be successful in orthoptist jobs, one should be adaptable, self-motivated, and a team player with excellent organizational skills and the patience to explain treatment to patients. They are mature individuals who possess interpersonal skills.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- B.Sc. Optometry
- Diploma Optometry
Tasks
- Assist ophthalmologists in diagnostic ophthalmic procedures, such as ultrasonography, fundus photography, and tonometry.
- Provide nonsurgical interventions, including corrective lenses, patches, drops, fusion exercises, or stereograms, to treat conditions such as strabismus, heterophoria, and convergence insufficiency.
- Develop nonsurgical treatment plans for patients with conditions such as strabismus, nystagmus, and other visual disorders.
- Perform diagnostic tests or measurements, such as motor testing, visual acuity testing, lensometry, retinoscopy, and color vision testing.
- Examine patients with problems related to ocular motility, binocular vision, amblyopia, or strabismus.
- Evaluate, diagnose, or treat disorders of the visual system with an emphasis on binocular vision or abnormal eye movements.
- Interpret clinical or diagnostic test results.
- Provide instructions to patients or family members concerning diagnoses or treatment plans.
- Refer patients to ophthalmic surgeons or other physicians.
- Develop or use special test and communication techniques to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of children or disabled patients.
Progression Routes
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