Orthoptist

Orthoptist

Work Activities/Work Locations

Orthoptists work in ophthalmology—the branch of medicine devoted to the study and treatment of eye conditions and diseases.
They work with ophthalmologists to evaluate and treat disorders of vision, eye movements and eye alignment in children and adults. They are the liaison between the ophthalmologist and the patient. See www.orthoptics.org for a career video.
Orthoptists serve patients of all ages, but because of the nature of many binocular disorders, the majority of patients are children.
Orthoptists may work in private ophthalmology practices, in a hospital or medical university setting with involvement in patient care, academics and clinical research. Orthoptists may serve as directors or advisors of state and local vision screening programs.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Orthoptics is a specialized profession that is both intellectually challenging and rewarding.
Orthoptics combines independent diagnostic ability, technical understanding and therapeutic decision-making and an active involvement in patient care.
Likes interacting with and helping people.

Quick Facts

Education: 6-8 years

Patient Interaction: Low

Physical Activity: Low

Salary: $71,985

Job Growth: Medium

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Getting Started

High School Courses

Students should take a college preparatory curriculum. A science background is recommended.

Education and Training

A baccalaureate degree (no specific major or prerequisite courses) is required.
Bachelor’s degree can be earned at any accredited college or university.
The Graduate Record Examination is NOT required as the Orthoptic Program is a Certification Program not a for credit/graduate program.
Apply to Orthoptic Fellowship Program. Currently (2016) there are seventeen programs affiliated with medical facilities or universities in the US and Canada that offer Orthoptic curriculum. The Department Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health offers a 24-month fellowship training.
The curriculum is both classroom and clinical instruction by staff orthoptists and ophthalmologists in a clinical medical setting.
The Orthoptic Program is two intensive years of instruction following a logical sequence of courses to secure an understanding of the visual system. Courses include: anatomy, neuro-anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, diagnostic testing & measurement, systemic diseases & ocular motor disorders, principles of surgery, basic ophthalmic exam techniques, ophthalmic optics and orthoptic treatment.

Educational Institutions

University of Minnesota
University of Wisconsin – Madison

Method of Entry

Admission criteria vary from training program to training program.
To be eligible for national certification one must complete a 24-month Orthoptic fellowship at an accredited program AND have a baccalaureate degree (no specific major)
National certification by the American Orthoptic Council (AOC) is obtained by after completing the two-year fellowship, the successful completion of a written and oral/practical examination. The written exam is given at all centers on the same day, usually in June. A candidate earning a passing score is now eligible for the oral/practical section of the examination, which is usually given at one central location in the fall of the year.
Upon successful completion of both sections of the exam, candidates are awarded a Certificate and granted the use of the designation “C.O.” after their names.

Professional Organizations

American Academy of Ophthalmology
655 Beach Street
San Francisco, CA, 94109
415/561-8500
www.aao.org

American Association of Certified Orthoptists
655 Beach Street
San Fransisco, CA, 94109
414/561-8522
www.orthoptics.org/

American Orthoptic Council
655 Beach Street
San Fransisco, CA, 94109
415/561-8522
orthoptics.org/aoc/

Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology
2025 Woodlane Drive
St. Paul, MN, 55125-2998
800/482-4858
www.atpo.org

Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology
2025 Woodlane Dr.
St. Paul, MN, 55125-2998
651/731-2944 or 800/284-3937
www.jcahpo.org

National Academy of Opticianry
8401 Corporate Dr., Suite 605
Landover, MD, 20785
800/229-4828
www.nao.org/

Career Outlook

Number Employed in 2014 (Wisconsin): 780
Number Employed in 2014 (U.S.): 50,100
Expected Employment in 2024 (U.S.): 56,100
Percent Employment Growth (2014-2024): 12%
Expected Annual Openings: 1,770
Median Salary in 2014 (Wisconsin): $71,985

Salary information is located at Career One Stop

Wisconsin AHEC Health Careers Information Center provides the most current salary information available from CareerOneStop. CareerOneStop will have a lapse between when the information is gathered and when it is released.

Can be varied.
Can work part- time.

Those more interested in teaching there are opportunities to provide clinical expertise and instruction to medical students, orthoptic students, post doctoral fellows, residents in ophthalmology and clinical staff.
Those more academically inclined can participate in clinical research and in the presentation and publication of scientific papers.