Orthoptists
On the Job
Orthoptists work with patients who have visual disorders, such as binocular vision or abnormal eye movements. They diagnose problems using techniques such as motor testing, visual acuity testing, lensometry, retinoscopy, and color vision testing. They may refer patients to surgeons if necessary.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
- Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.
- Present medical research reports.
- Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.
- Treat chronic diseases or disorders.
- Diagnose medical conditions.
- Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
- Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.
- Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
- Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
Typical Working Conditions
- Frequent contact with others.
- Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Working with a group or team.
- Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
- Using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
- Exposure to disease or infections.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.
