Orthoptist Specialists
Overview
Orthoptist Specialists are medical professionals who focus on how the eyes work together as a team. They examine patients—often children—using tools such as retinoscopes, lensometers, and visual acuity charts to diagnose problems with eye alignment, eye movements, and depth perception. They design nonsurgical treatment plans that may include special glasses, eye patches, vision therapy exercises, or eye drops, and they work closely with ophthalmologists and optometrists to manage complex conditions and contribute to clinical research on new treatments.
Did you know?
Orthoptists in the US must complete an accredited orthoptic program and pass the American Orthoptic Council certification exam to practice professionally.
At a Glance
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Persuasion
Key Responsibilities
- Interpret clinical or diagnostic test results.
- Assist ophthalmologists in diagnostic ophthalmic procedures, such as ultrasonography, fundus photography, and tonometry.
- Develop nonsurgical treatment plans for patients with conditions such as strabismus, nystagmus, and other visual disorders.
- Perform vision screening of children in schools or community health centers.
- Provide training related to clinical methods or orthoptics to students, resident physicians, or other health professionals.
- Collaborate with ophthalmologists, optometrists, or other specialists in the diagnosis, treatment, or management of conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal diseases.
- Examine patients with problems related to ocular motility, binocular vision, amblyopia, or strabismus.
- Perform diagnostic tests or measurements, such as motor testing, visual acuity testing, lensometry, retinoscopy, and color vision testing.
- Evaluate, diagnose, or treat disorders of the visual system with an emphasis on binocular vision or abnormal eye movements.
- Participate in clinical research projects.
- Prepare diagnostic or treatment reports for other medical practitioners or therapists.
- Present or publish scientific papers.
- Provide nonsurgical interventions, including corrective lenses, patches, drops, fusion exercises, or stereograms, to treat conditions such as strabismus, heterophoria, and convergence insufficiency.
- Refer patients to ophthalmic surgeons or other physicians.
- Provide instructions to patients or family members concerning diagnoses or treatment plans.
- Develop or use special test and communication techniques to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of children or patients with disabilities.
Career Considerations
Certification Requirements
Orthoptists in the US must complete an accredited orthoptic program and pass the American Orthoptic Council certification exam to practice professionally.
Limited Job Market
Employment opportunities are concentrated in specialized eye care centers, hospitals, and ophthalmology practices, making the job market relatively small compared to other healthcare professions.
Competitive Salary with Growth Limitations
While orthoptists earn competitive healthcare salaries averaging $60,000-$80,000 annually, career advancement opportunities are limited due to the highly specialized nature of the field.