Orthoptist

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

• become a specialist orthoptist and work with specific groups of people such as children or people affected by stroke
• become a head or consultant orthoptist, and manage a team or department
• take further qualifications and move into research or teaching
• work in private practice and set up your own clinic

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• the ability to work well with others
• sensitivity and understanding
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of medicine and how the human body works
• to enjoy working with other people
• knowledge of English language
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Biology - Orthoptists need a thorough understanding of human anatomy, particularly the structure and function of the eye, the visual system, and the brain's role in processing vision. This knowledge is essential when diagnosing conditions like squints, lazy eyes, and neurological disorders that affect sight.
• Physics - Orthoptists work with optics every day – understanding how light enters the eye, how lenses correct vision, and how the eye focuses. Physics also underpins the diagnostic equipment they use to measure eye alignment and visual function.
• Mathematics - Orthoptists take precise measurements of eye alignment, visual acuity, and angles of deviation when diagnosing squints and other conditions. They need to interpret numerical data from diagnostic tests and calculate appropriate corrections for treatments like prisms and lenses.

Also relevant

• Psychology - Orthoptists often work with young children and people recovering from strokes, so understanding behaviour, development, and how people respond to health challenges is really valuable. Knowledge of perception and how the brain processes visual information also connects directly to conditions like lazy eye.
• Chemistry - Orthoptists manage conditions like glaucoma and cataracts alongside other specialists, so understanding how medications and eye drops work at a chemical level is helpful. A foundation in chemistry also supports the broader scientific thinking needed in healthcare.
• English Language - Orthoptists explain diagnoses and treatment plans to patients of all ages, including children and their parents, in clear and reassuring language. They also write detailed clinical notes and referral letters to other healthcare professionals.
• Sociology - Orthoptists work with patients from diverse backgrounds and age groups, including children with developmental needs and older adults affected by stroke. Understanding how social factors influence health, access to care, and patient behaviour helps them provide more effective and sensitive support.