Orthoptic Services

Orthoptics is the investigation, diagnosis, and treatment of eye movement disorders, defects of binocular vision, and disorders of visual development.

The team of orthoptists at the Westminster Eye Centre provide treatment for a range of eye disorders in both children and adults including:

• Amblyopia (sometimes referred to as “lazy” eye)

• Squint

• Defective binocular vision

• Abnormal eye movements

• Diplopia (double vision)

• Vision problems arising from stroke and acquired brain injury

The orthoptists are trained to offer a range of treatments in the management or correction of these conditions which may include eye patches, eye exercises, prisms or glasses.

The orthoptic team work very closely with the ophthalmologists and run several joint specialist clinics including paediatric, stroke/neuro-ophthalmology, and thyroid eye disease as well as assessing children with special educational need in local special schools.

In addition to traditional orthoptic work our orthoptists have developed their skills within the wider eye team and can be found performing extended roles within the glaucoma, oculoplastic and
medical retina clinics.

Orthoptists are experts in testing vision in babies and children of all ages and abilities, including those with special educational needs and endeavour to ensure the experience is as comfortable for the child as possible.

If you have a child with special educational needs, learning difficulties or autism and are worried about attending the orthoptic clinic you can contact us on the number below for advice or to request any reasonable adjustments that may help.

Orthoptic department: 01244 363003

(0830 – 1630 Monday – Friday)

For more information regarding orthoptics please see The British and Irish Orthoptic Society.