Orthoptists are the experts in diagnosing and treating defects in eye movement and problems with how the eyes work together, called binocular vision. This field offers a fascinating and rewarding career.
- Make a real difference
Orthoptics lets you change lives every day. Imagine the dramatic impact of helping children see clearly for the first time, or fixing a patient’s double vision.
- Cutting-edge science
If you’re fascinated by how the body and brain work together, orthoptics is for you. It combines cutting-edge neuroscience with hands-on patient care.
- Be part of a growing field
Eyecare is always in high demand. You can enjoy job security, plenty of opportunities, and a chance to join a growing area of healthcare.
Orthoptists have endless routes to upskill and progress into management, research, or even become advanced clinical practitioners within different areas of ophthalmology.
- Shorter training, big rewards
Unlike some healthcare careers, you can become an orthoptist in just two to three years. Jumpstart your career while earning and avoid long, expensive schooling.
You could even get a training grant of £5,000 from the Learning Support Fund.
- A career that’s never boring
Whether you’re treating a toddler with patching (covering their better eye for a set time), carrying out school vision screening or solving complex neurological cases, every day is different.
- Work/life balance
Unlike many other healthcare careers, orthoptics offers regular working hours with no night shifts, at a variety of workplaces. Work stays at work, so you can enjoy your life outside!
Find out more
- Find out how to become an orthoptist
- There’s lots of info available from The British and Irish Orthoptic Society
- Meet Alis and follow a day in the life of an orthoptist
- Explore a variety of different roles in eyecare with our career guides