HealthcareISCO 2267
Orthoptist
Orthoptists diagnose and treat anomalies of binocular vision. They examine, assess and treat vision impairments, squint, amblyopia and eye motility disorders. Orthoptists apply these methods in particular in the fields of paediatrics, neurology, neuro-ophthalmology, ophthalmology, orthoptics, optometry, pleoptics and strabology assessing functional diseases of the eye for improving functional disorders of the visual system. They also provide counselling, preventive measures and training activities and may refract and prescribe glasses, such as prism corrective glasses.
Check yourself in a minute: orthoptist
Rate 5 of the 60 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
respond to changing situations in health care
educate on the prevention of illness
inform policy makers on health-related challenges
use e-health and mobile health technologies
empathise with the healthcare user
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (60)
hygiene in a health care settinghygiene in a health care settingThe procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipmen...ophthalmological examination methodsophthalmological examination methodsThe techniques and methods applied to examine patients` eyesight and take related measurements.health care legislationhealth care legislationThe patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.neurophysiologyneurophysiologyThe medical specialty which is concerned with the study of the nervous system functionalities.medical terminologymedical terminologyThe meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.treatment of strabismustreatment of strabismusThe treatment administered in the case of strabismus in patients of all ages.health care occupation-specific ethicshealth care occupation-specific ethicsThe moral standards and procedures, ethical questions and obligations specific to occupations in a health care setting such as respect for human dignity, self-determination, informed consent and patie...opticsopticsThe science that studies the elements and reaction of light.human physiologyhuman physiologyThe science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.neurologyneurologyNeurology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.pharmacologypharmacologyPharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.neuro-ophthalmologyneuro-ophthalmologyThe diseases of the nervous system that affect vision and control of eye movement.paediatricspaediatricsPaediatrics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.orthopticsorthopticsThe principles, assessment techniques and treatment of orthoptic practice.contact lens fitting techniquescontact lens fitting techniquesThe techniques and tools used to fit contact lenses.human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...medical informaticsmedical informaticsThe processes and tools used for the analysis and dissemination of medical data through computerized systems.types of strabismustypes of strabismusThe characteristics of the various types of strabismus such as esotropia and hypertropia.psychologypsychologyThe human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.pathologypathologyThe components of a disease, the cause, mechanisms of development, morphologic changes, and the clinical consequences of those changes.paediatric psychologypaediatric psychologyThe study of how psychological aspects can influence and impact illnesses and injuries in infants, children and adolescents.first aidfirst aidThe emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.anaestheticsanaestheticsAnaesthetics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.respond to changing situations in health carerespond to changing situations in health careCope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.educate on the prevention of illnesseducate on the prevention of illnessOffer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and healt...inform policy makers on health-related challengesinform policy makers on health-related challengesProvide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.use e-health and mobile health technologiesuse e-health and mobile health technologiesUse mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.empathise with the healthcare userempathise with the healthcare userUnderstand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence...test visual acuitytest visual acuityTest patients` visual acuity, perception of depth colour, and ability to focus and coordinate the eyes.determine eye disease progressiondetermine eye disease progressionDetermine the effects and progression of eye disease by applying specialised diagnostic and imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography and topography.record healthcare users' progress related to treatmentrecord healthcare users' progress related to treatmentRecord the healthcare user's progress in response to treatment by observing, listening and measuring outcomes.diagnose problems of the visual systemdiagnose problems of the visual systemIdentify and diagnose problems of the visual system, such as those related to binocular vision, ocular motility, amblyopia or lazy eye, strabismus or squint, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, assessing ...manage healthcare users' datamanage healthcare users' dataKeep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, wr...receive patient referrals with eye conditionsreceive patient referrals with eye conditionsReceive patient referrals from the eye casualty and neurology departments, eye clinics, general practitioners, health visitors and community clinics.deal with emergency care situationsdeal with emergency care situationsAssess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.conduct specialised orthoptic testsconduct specialised orthoptic testsConduct specialised tests such as colour vision test, Ishihara, Farnsworth, D-15, Pseudo-isochromatic colour plates, ophthalmic photography and corneal light reflex testing, analysing the information ...provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.communicate in healthcarecommunicate in healthcareCommunicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.undertake healthcare examinationundertake healthcare examinationAssess the healthcare user's physical state, taking detailed information on previous injuries, surgery, general health, resources and lifestyle into account.advise on healthcare users' informed consentadvise on healthcare users' informed consentEnsure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.promote ocular healthpromote ocular healthParticipate in activities that contribute to promoting ocular health and preventing ocular problems.supervise orthoptic treatmentssupervise orthoptic treatmentsSupervise orthoptic treatments by using occlusion therapy for amblyopia, prism therapy, and exercises of convergence and fusional ability where indicated.comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associati...comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...advise patients on vision improvement conditionsadvise patients on vision improvement conditionsAdvise patients with low vision on strategies to enhance their sight, such as use of magnification and lighting equipment.adhere to organisational guidelinesadhere to organisational guidelinesAdhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.work in a multicultural environment in health carework in a multicultural environment in health careInteract, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.perform vision rehabilitationperform vision rehabilitationMaximise the remaining sight in people with low vision using rehabilitation strategies and magnification aids.promote inclusionpromote inclusionPromote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive envi...interact with healthcare usersinteract with healthcare usersCommunicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.provide treatment strategies for challenges to human healthprovide treatment strategies for challenges to human healthIdentify possible treatment protocols for the challenges to human health within a given community in cases such as infectious diseases of high consequences at the global level.ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...apply organisational techniquesapply organisational techniquesEmploy a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and s...develop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipdevelop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipDevelop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.apply context specific clinical competencesapply context specific clinical competencesApply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within ...carry out orthoptic treatmentscarry out orthoptic treatmentsCarry out orthoptic treatments by using occlusion therapy for amblyopia, prism therapy, and exercises of convergence and fusional ability where indicated.work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.accept own accountabilityaccept own accountabilityAccept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.provide therapy of the visual systemprovide therapy of the visual systemApply suitable orthoptic, pleoptic and optic treatment methods, using equipment such as lenses (`training glasses`), prisms, filters, patches, electronic targets, or balance boards, and suggest and im...
Optional (7) — show
pedagogypedagogyThe discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.select intraocular lenses for surgeryselect intraocular lenses for surgeryMeasure and select intraocular lenses to be surgically implanted.record healthcare users' billing informationrecord healthcare users' billing informationRecord the healthcare user`s information for the billing of provided medical services.prescribe corrective lensesprescribe corrective lensesPrescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, according to measurements and tests conducted.participate in medical inventory controlparticipate in medical inventory controlMonitor the condition of a medical inventory. Ensure the materials are stored safely. Re-order supplies when needed.use foreign languages for health-related researchuse foreign languages for health-related researchUse foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.use foreign languages in patient careuse foreign languages in patient careCommunicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.
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Frequently asked questions
What does an orthoptist do?
Orthoptists diagnose and treat anomalies of binocular vision. They examine, assess and treat vision impairments, squint, amblyopia and eye motility disorders. Orthoptists apply these methods in particular in the fields of paediatrics, neurology, neuro-ophthalmology, ophthalmology, orthoptics, optometry, pleoptics and strabology assessing functional diseases of the eye for improving functional disorders of the visual system. They also provide counselling, preventive measures and training activities and may refract and prescribe glasses, such as prism corrective glasses.
What skills does an orthoptist need?
An orthoptist needs 60 essential skills, including hygiene in a health care setting, ophthalmological examination methods, health care legislation, neurophysiology, medical terminology.
Will AI replace orthoptist jobs?
The AI disruption score for orthoptist is 17/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: medical terminology, manage healthcare users' data, record healthcare users' billing information. Most resilient: empathise with the healthcare user, deal with emergency care situations, develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship.
AI Replacement Risk
17/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
Is orthoptist right for you?
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