Orthoptists: Career & Application Guide

What do orthoptists do?

Diagnose and treat visual system disorders such as binocular vision and eye movement impairments.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

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Evaluate, diagnose, or treat disorders of the visual system with an emphasis on binocular vision or abnormal eye movements.
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.
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.
Provide instructions to patients or family members concerning diagnoses or treatment plans.
Interpret clinical or diagnostic test results.
Refer patients to ophthalmic surgeons or other physicians.
Develop or use special test and communication techniques to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of children or patients with disabilities.
Provide training related to clinical methods or orthoptics to students, resident physicians, or other health professionals.

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