Orthoptist
Orthoptist
Orthoptist (pronunciation: or-thop-tist) is a specialized healthcare professional who is trained in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of disorders involving the visual system, particularly those related to binocular vision and eye movement.
Etymology
The term "Orthoptist" is derived from the Greek words "orthos" meaning straight and "optikos" meaning vision. Thus, an Orthoptist is a professional who helps in maintaining or restoring straight vision.
Role and Responsibilities
An Orthoptist works closely with Ophthalmologists and Optometrists to provide comprehensive eye care. They are particularly skilled in the management of conditions such as strabismus (misaligned eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye), and diplopia (double vision). They also play a crucial role in the pre and post-operative care of patients undergoing eye surgery.
Education and Training
To become an Orthoptist, one must complete a Bachelor's degree in Orthoptics or a related field, followed by a period of clinical training. In some countries, Orthoptists must also be registered with a professional regulatory body.
Related Terms
- Ophthalmology: The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.
- Optometry: The practice or profession of examining the eyes for visual defects and prescribing corrective lenses.
- Strabismus: A condition in which the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking at an object.
- Amblyopia: A vision development disorder in which an eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity, even with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.
- Diplopia: The perception of two images of a single object; also known as double vision.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Orthoptist
- Wikipedia's article - Orthoptist
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