orthoptics

Orthoptics is a medical specialty focused on diagnosing and managing disorders of eye movements and binocular vision. Orthoptists assess how the eyes work together, measure alignment and motility, and evaluate visual function to support normal development and function. The field is prominent in pediatric care but also addresses adults with double vision, convergence or accommodation problems. The aim is to maintain efficient binocular vision and prevent impairment.

Practitioners work in hospitals, clinics, and private practice, typically under ophthalmologists or optometrists. They conduct history, perform targeted exams, and develop treatment plans. Common assessments include alignment tests (cover tests, prism measurements), ocular motility examinations, and binocular function tests such as Worth 4-dot and stereoacuity. They may also screen visual acuity and basic ocular health.

Management often centers on non-surgical interventions, such as orthoptic exercises to improve vergence and accommodation, eye patching or penalization for amblyopia, and prescription of prisms. When medical or surgical factors require it, orthoptists coordinate care with physicians and monitor outcomes after treatment, including postoperative assessments if eye alignment surgery is performed. They also educate patients and families about conditions and therapies.

Education and regulation vary by country. In many regions, orthoptists hold university degrees or diplomas and are registered or credentialed with national bodies. In the United Kingdom, orthoptists are regulated by the General Optical Council and participate in professional associations such as the British and Irish Orthoptic Association. Across other regions, orthoptists function as allied health professionals within ophthalmology departments, with credentialing carried out by regional boards or associations.