Vision school — orthoptics are facilities at university eye clinics, hospitals, ophthalmology practices and at specialist institutions, where orthoptists work with doctors to examine and treat movement disorders of the eyes, strabismus with and without double vision, nystagmus (involuntary eye movement), impaired vision and all related disorders.
Some university eye clinics have established special departments for strabismus treatment (strabology and neuro-ophthalmology) and for teaching and research in this field. Some of these clinics also have training facilities for orthoptists.
Orthoptists are medical professionals in the healthcare sector.
An orthoptist works to prevent, detect (diagnosis) and treat (therapy) strabismus, poor vision (amblyopia) and involuntary eye movements (nystagmus) and their consequences.
An orthoptist has different examination and treatment options (orthoptics and pleoptics) available for the various forms of strabismus. Children, young people and adults suffering from strabismus visit the orthoptist.
Orthoptic examination (diagnosis) and treatment (therapy) is important to prevent and resolve the effects of strabismus and vision problems.
Discovering strabismus and poor eyesight early can make a significant difference in preventing permanent damage.
Children, young people and adults with strabismus
Children, young people and adults with vision problems, e.g. when writing, reading and working on a screen, with concentration problems and headaches
Patients of all ages with visual impairments
Patients of all ages with vision problems after brain injury (e.g. in cases of suspected visual perception problems, dyslexia)
Examination and treatment of disorders that affect one eye and the interaction of both eyes (strabismus)
• Vision problems when reading, writing, looking at screens, etc.
• Prevention of the above disorders
• Rehabilitation of visual disorders
Determination of eye dominance for distance and near vision
Examination of binocular vision (spatial vision) for distance and near with and without visual stress
Testing for abnormal head posture for distance and near
Fixation pattern testing
Contrast sensitivity testing
Visual field test
Testing for crowding
Diagnosis and treatment of nystagmus
Visual stress related to phorias and optical aids
Determination of the risk of double vision