What Do Orthoptists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Orthoptists diagnose and treat visual system disorders such as binocular vision and eye movement impairments. They also perform diagnostic tests or measurements, such as motor testing, visual acuity testing, lensometry, retinoscopy, and color vision testing.

Other tasks include:

• Examine patients with problems related to ocular motility, binocular vision, amblyopia, or strabismus.
• Provide instructions to patients or family members concerning diagnoses or treatment plans.
• Provide nonsurgical interventions, including corrective lenses, patches, drops, fusion exercises, or stereograms, to treat conditions such as strabismus, heterophoria, and convergence insufficiency.
• 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.
• Develop or use special test and communication techniques to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of children or disabled patients.

We asked Orthoptists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

74% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 82% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Orthoptists perform diagnostic tests or measurements, such as motor testing, visual acuity testing, lensometry, retinoscopy, and color vision testing. They examine patients with problems related to ocular motility, binocular vision, amblyopia, or strabismus.

A typical day for an Orthoptist will also include:

• Evaluate, diagnose, or treat disorders of the visual system with an emphasis on binocular vision or abnormal eye movements.
• Provide instructions to patients or family members concerning diagnoses or treatment plans.
• Provide nonsurgical interventions, including corrective lenses, patches, drops, fusion exercises, or stereograms, to treat conditions such as strabismus, heterophoria, and convergence insufficiency.
• Interpret clinical or diagnostic test results.
• Develop nonsurgical treatment plans for patients with conditions such as strabismus, nystagmus, and other visual disorders.

We asked some Orthoptists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Orthoptists also provide training related to clinical methods or orthoptics to students, resident physicians, or other health professionals. They may also assist ophthalmologists in diagnostic ophthalmic procedures, such as ultrasonography, fundus photography, and tonometry.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Orthoptists Prepare diagnostic or treatment reports for other medical practitioners or therapists. They might also Collaborate with ophthalmologists, optometrists, or other specialists in the diagnosis, treatment, or management of conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal diseases.

In addition, they Refer patients to ophthalmic surgeons or other physicians.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Develop or use special test and communication techniques to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of children or disabled patients.

To some Orthoptists, it is also their responsibility to Participate in clinical research projects.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Orthoptist, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

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