Orthoptist
What Do Orthoptists Do?
Job Description: Diagnose and treat visual system disorders such as binocular vision and eye movement impairments.
Responsibilities
- Present or publish scientific papers.
- Develop nonsurgical treatment plans for patients with conditions such as strabismus, nystagmus, and other visual disorders.
- Assist ophthalmologists in diagnostic ophthalmic procedures, such as ultrasonography, fundus photography, and tonometry.
- Provide nonsurgical interventions, including corrective lenses, patches, drops, fusion exercises, or stereograms, to treat conditions such as strabismus, heterophoria, and convergence insufficiency.
- Refer patients to ophthalmic surgeons or other physicians.
- Prepare diagnostic or treatment reports for other medical practitioners or therapists.
Qualities of an Orthoptist
- Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
- Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Types of Orthoptist
- Orthoptist
- Clinical Orthoptist (CO)
- Chief Orthoptist
- Certified Orthoptist
Salary
Typical yearly salary range: $40,910–$141,330.
Highest salaries are typically found in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Georgia.
Tools & Technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Email software