Orthoptists are part of the NHS vision teams and other settings that deal with children who have neurological disorders. They diagnose and treat disorders of vision and of eye movement such as squint, lazy eye (amblyopia), eye movement problems and binocular vision problems. Some Orthoptists are also involved in other areas of eye care such as low vision, reading difficulties, glaucoma and diabetic screening. Assessment and treatment can consist of all aspects of eye care including medical, surgical and sometimes nutritional.
Orthoptists are regulated by the Health Professions Council, which holds the register. The professional association is the British and Irish Orthoptic Society, tel: 0207 387 7992,
www.britishorthopticsociety.co.uk. The website contains advice for parents of children who have some of these eye problems.
