Orthoptics is the area of eye care that covers problems with eye movement or how the eyes work together which is called binocular vision or 3D vision. Eye care professionals trained in this area of eye care are called orthoptists.

Problems with eye movement or how the eyes work together can be due to the muscles around the eyes, or the nerves which allow the brain to communicate with the eyes, not working properly. Problems can also be caused by eye conditions such as strabismus. This is when an eye turns inwards or outwards and is commonly called a squint. There is more information about squints in children on the children's eye health page.

Orthoptists mainly look after patients with strabismus (squint) but they can help people who have other symptoms such as:

  • blurred or double vision
  • seeing things moving from side to side (oscillating)
  • uncontrolled constant eye movements (nystagmus)
  • abnormal head positions where the head is turned or tilted to improve vision
  • drooping eye lid (ptosis)

If you have any of these symptoms, make an appointment at your local opticians to have your eyes checked. They will be able to identify what the problem is and may refer you to a hospital eye clinic for further tests and treatment.

If you have blurred or double vision that has come on suddenly, you should visit your local emergency eye clinic as soon as possible. Link to emergency eye care section.

Orthoptists are trained to offer a range of treatments to manage and correct these symptoms, including eye patches, eye exercises, special lenses called prisms lenses, and glasses. The British and Irish Orthoptics Society’s website has this information about what orthoptists do and how they can help.

Below are the main eye conditions that orthoptists deal with:

Orthoptists also work as part of a team to support patients who have neurological conditions. These are conditions that affect the brain, spine or nerves, such as stroke, brain tumours or multiple sclerosis. The specialist teams help patients manage symptoms related to their sight and provide rehabilitation support to help them regain as much independence as possible.

Double vision can be caused by a nerve palsy. There are three nerves called cranial nerves that come straight from the brain. These nerves control the muscles around the eye and make them move together. If one of these nerves is damaged it can result the eye turning which causes double vision. If you suddenly get double vision, please ask an optometrist at your opticians, or your GP for an urgent referral to an eye clinic. Or you can attend your local emergency eye clinic.

An orthoptist may be able to realign the double vision by sticking a temporary prism to one of the lenses on your glasses. If you do not wear glasses, the prism can be stuck to a pair on non-prescription glasses instead.

Orthoptists can provide support for patients who have suffered a stroke and have visual problems. They can give advice on ways to adapt your vision and will explain what the likely outcome of your visual problems will be. Orthoptists can also help if you are having difficulties with daily activities such as reading. Please see the support services page for more information.