Orthoptists diagnose and treat problems of the eye, especially those related to eye movement and how the eyes work together to focus, known as binocularity. Patients of any age may come to see an orthoptist, but most of their patients are children due to the developmental nature of many binocular disorders. Orthoptists perform diagnostic tests and measurements of color vision, visual acuity, and the pace of motor development related to vision development. After interpreting test results, orthoptists may refer patients to ophthalmic surgeons and other physicians or they may perform nonsurgical interventions such as corrective lenses, patches, drops, exercises, and more. The majority of orthoptists work full time. They practice in hospitals, clinics, private offices, and medical facilities attached to universities as well as visiting schools to administer testing. Some orthoptists teach or conduct clinical research. Orthoptists must complete a 2-year training fellowship after earning a bachelor’s degree, usually with a science or health care major. Typically, orthoptist students evaluate at least 1500 patients as part of their clinical studies. After completing training, they must pass a certifying examination given by the American Association of Certified Orthoptists.
What they do:
Diagnose and treat visual system disorders such as binocular vision and eye movement impairments.
On the job, you would:
Perform diagnostic tests or measurements, such as motor testing, visual acuity testing, lensometry, retinoscopy, and color vision testing.
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.
Health
medicine and dentistry
therapy and counseling
Arts and Humanities
English language
Business
customer service
Education and Training
teaching and course design
Basic Skills
thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Social
understanding people's reactions
looking for ways to help people
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
Integrity
Dependability
Concern for Others
Cooperation
Attention to Detail
Self Control
You might use software like this on the job:
Medical software
Computer Aided Vision Therapy CAVT
MAX Systems Max-Gold Medical Clinic Software
Word processing software
Eye Tracking Exercises Enterprises Track with Letters
Microsoft Word
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
certificate after college or bachelor's degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Produced by 
License