What is
"Orthoptics"?
What
disorders do Orthoptists treat?
What training
does an Orthoptist undergo?
Russell S. Koch Award
To Contact
us for more information
The word “Orthoptic” has a Greek origin and is
derived from ortho (straight) and optics (eyes). As such, Orthoptics is
an ophthalmic science involving the issues of eye vision, coordination
and movement. It is an allied health profession in which the orthoptist
works with ophthalmologists to correct problems that encompass
the inability to use the eyes together due to eye muscle or sensory
malfunction. Many of these patients are young children as many of these
disorders occur at an early age. Adult eye movement disorders are often
neurologic and involve a neuro-opthalmologist.
What disorders do Orthoptists treat?
The orthoptist is skilled in many diagnostic tests concerning binocular vision disorders. These disorders include crossed eyes, lazy eye, and double vision. The orthoptist may carry out the necessary treatment or train the patient in the appropriate eye exercise regimen. In other cases, the test data is returned to the referring ophthalmologist for other treatments or surgery. Often the orthoptist assists in surgery.
Orthoptic procedures have evolved over the years. In the 1940’s to early 1960’s, very intensive eye exercise therapies were performed in the clinic, sometimes over months. Now the majority of patients are taught the exercises to be performed at home with only monthly exams to monitor progress. Shelly Klein Weiss spends most of her time evaluating patients and making recommendations to the referring ophthalmologist.
In 1975, the 3M company developed temporary prisms which increased the treatment success of those with double vision over the fixed prism method which required frequent lens changes.
For the last 10 years the use of Atropine has
been important in the treatment of Amblyopia. Amblyopia involves the
decrease of vision due to muscle imbalance and/or a refractive
abnormality. The
Atropine blurs the “strong” eye forcing the use of the “weak” eye and
replacing the use of an eye patch.
What training does an Orthoptist undergo?
Orthoptists who have completed a 24 month
internship in an accredited program and the associated examinations are
awarded a
certificate of proficiency by the American Orthoptic Council. The AOC
was
formed in 1938 and are responsible for setting the standards for
proficiency. The internships are affiliated with medical colleges
and universities and includes instruction through lectures and
practical clinical experience. Once accredited, the orthoptist is
then eligible for membership in the American Association of Certified
Orthoptists.
Given for dedicated and compassionate service to others in need of vision-related treatment or assistance.
This award is presented to anyone who has given a special commitment to those in need of vision correction and financial assistance. This service includes exceptional examples of interviewing applicants for club “eye case” financial assistance, organizing the used eyeglass collection program, efforts to provide vision appliances or exams to the public, or serving in the activities of the Orthoptic Clinic itself, and more!
To Contact us for more information:
PDG James A. Gracia
99 Glendale St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
413-527-5290
PDG2
Jean
W. Martin
172 Hope St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
413-774-5925
jwmartinhl@yahoo.com
Last Revised 2/16/2010