How do I become an orthoptist?
If you enjoy science, working with people of all ages and would relish the challenge of problem-solving and making decisions independently, orthoptics could be the career for you!
On our careers pages you will find all the information you need if you are looking to become an orthoptist, including what skills and qualifications you will need, how you can finance your degree, what you can expect to earn and, most importantly, what will you actually be doing …
To become an orthoptist, you require a degree in orthoptics. Find out more about the course, including where you can study.
We were featured in a recent edition of Career Matters.
What’s it like being an orthoptist?
Orthoptics isn’t just the theory and clinical skills you learn from a textbook or in a university but it is an opportunity to bring your personality to a career as well. Patients respond best when an orthoptist shows a genuine, human and compassionate side.
What is orthoptics?
An orthoptist specialises in diagnosing and managing a range of eye conditions that largely affect eye movement and visual development. Understanding the development of eyesight and the role of the brain in controlling the eyes are key to orthoptic work.
What do orthoptists do?
Orthoptists have an extremely varied caseload. Typically, their work with babies and children involves the management and treatment of amblyopia (or lazy eye) and strabismus (misalignment of the eyes or squint). With adults, they will manage and treat a range of conditions leading to double vision, commonly following neurological episodes, such as strokes or brain damage.
Where do orthoptists work?
In the UK the majority of orthoptists work in eye clinics in NHS hospitals. Some orthoptists also work in community clinics, specialist centres for children with disabilities or carry out vision screening in schools. Orthoptists also assess patients on hospital wards such as neuro-rehabilitation and stroke wards.
In Ireland orthoptists mainly work within the HSE in community and hospital settings. There is also the opportunity to work in private clinics across Ireland.
What can I expect to earn?
There is increasing demand for orthoptists in the UK, and a shortage in Europe and across the world. In the UK most orthoptists work in the NHS. Orthoptists in the NHS typically start on band 5, with heads of service at band 8b or 8c.
More details about the NHS pay scale and current rates can be found here.
In Ireland, a new graduate would be expected to enter the HSE pay scale under Basic Orthoptist progressing to Senior Orthoptist and Clinical Specialist.
Full details of the pay scale can be found here.
How do I find out if orthoptics is for me?
First things first, its essential that you decide whether orthoptics is the right career for you. The best way to learn about what an orthoptist actually does is going and seeing for yourself.
BIOS have a specific Work Shadow Lead, whose job it is to help arrange for prospective students to shadow an orthoptist and see what it is they do day to day. You can find out more about this, including who to contact, on our work shadowing page.
Looking to change career? Check out the videos from our Orthoptics Insight Day. Orthoptists and orthoptic students share their real-life experiences of transitioning from the armed forces and other careers into the orthoptics workforce.
Interested in finding out more? Try this interactive free course.
Explore all aspects of the orthoptics profession – from the conditions orthoptists investigate to the exciting career prospects.
Sign up to the ‘limited access’ plan for free access to the three-week course here.
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