Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

The Work

Orthoptists are specialists with training that enables them to assess, diagnose and treat squints, amblyopia and abnormalities of binocular vision. Orthoptic treatment aims to maximise vision and relieve symptoms e.g. double vision. Orthoptists work with ophthalmologists and optometrists and are part of the eye care team.

Orthoptists diagnose and treat visual impairments (such as squints and double vision) and abnormal eye movements. The earlier such defects are detected the better the chances of remedying them completely.  
 
Approximately 5% of children have visual problems that require investigation and treatment by an Orthoptist. Visual development can be assessed from birth and abnormalities are often diagnosed early. A detailed assessment of the patient's signs and symptoms, measurements of vision, eye position and eye movement is essential to decide upon appropriate treatment plans.  
 
Patients (adults and children) may present with visual symptoms that are a result of general pathology. Most of these patients will have an abnormality of movement of one or both eyes and testing by the orthoptist will help diagnose the condition.  
 
Diagnosis is made by charting eye movements through observation or with the aid of instruments. Some of the equipment used by orthoptists is highly complex and computerised. Orthoptists must also be aware of medical conditions, such as brain tumours, that may give rise to visual problems.  
 
Treatment by the orthoptist may include 'patching' one eye to encourage the other to function properly, devising exercises to assist the development of binocular vision or recommending a surgical operation.  
 
Orthoptists are also involved in the assessment for glasses and in the assessment of patients with glaucoma and cataracts.  
 
If surgery is recommended, the orthoptist works closely with the ophthalmologist, or specialist eye doctor, providing the necessary details to carry out the operation successfully. After surgery, the orthoptist continues to monitor the patient's progress.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Examine patients with problems related to ocular motility, binocular vision, amblyopia, or strabismus.
• Evaluate, diagnose, or treat disorders of the visual system with an emphasis on binocular vision or abnormal eye movements.
• Provide instructions to patients or family members concerning diagnoses or treatment plans.
• Perform diagnostic tests or measurements, such as motor testing, visual acuity testing, lensometry, retinoscopy, and color vision testing.
• Provide nonsurgical interventions, including corrective lenses, patches, drops, fusion exercises, or stereograms, to treat conditions such as strabismus, heterophoria, and convergence insufficiency.
• Develop nonsurgical treatment plans for patients with conditions such as strabismus, nystagmus, and other visual disorders.
• Interpret clinical or diagnostic test results.
• Develop or use special test and communication techniques to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of children or disabled patients.
• Provide training related to clinical methods or orthoptics to students, resident physicians, or other health professionals.
• Refer patients to ophthalmic surgeons or other physicians.

Further Information

• Orthoptist - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

A graduate degree in Orthoptics is required to become an orthoptist. Currently, there are no courses in Ireland.

Studying Abroad The Orthoptics course is three years in duration (four years in Glasgow, as Honours degrees generally last for four years in Scotland) and comprises an integrated theoretical and practical programme. Block clinical placements occur throughout each year and so the academic year can be extended up to 42 weeks. There are centres for Orthoptic training at:

• University of Sheffield BSc (Hons) Orthoptics

• University of Liverpool BSc (Hons) Orthoptics

• Glasgow Caledonian University BSc (Hons) Orthoptics

Professional Development

Oversees courses must be recognised by:

The British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS)

Irish Association for orthopists

Last Updated: August, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €42k - €71k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
HSE/ Indeed

Last Updated: August, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was strong for this occupation, particularly between 2021 and 2022. Census data shows that employment grew across all roles in this group between 2016 and 2022, with the strongest growth for pharmaceutical technicans.

The number of online job adverts for pharmaceutical technicians grew strongly in 2022 (+14%); skills in demand included, among others pharmaceutical knowledge, the ability to provide customer service & advice, and business skills, such as product sales.

A small number of employment permits were issued in 2022 for cardiac physiologists and paramedics. The available data sources do not signal any issues in relation to supply and demand for health associate professional occupations; however, if employment was to continue to increase, recruitment issues may emerge.

• CORU - Regulating Health & Social Care Professionals

  • Infinity Building, George’s Court, George’s Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 E98Y
  • (01) 293 3160
  • [email protected]/ [email protected]/ [email protected]
  • Click Here

• British and Irish Orthoptic Society

  • Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HX
  • +44 (0)21 728 5633
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Association of Orthoptists

  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Medical Council

  • Kingram House, Kingram Place, Dublin, 2
  • (01) 498 3100
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• UCAS

  • Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 3LZ
  • +44 330 3330 230
  • Click Here