Happy World Orthoptic Day 2020!
My name is Heena Patel and I’m an orthoptist at Whipps Cross Hospital. I’m based in the Eye Treatment Centre and have been working here for 9 months now.
As an orthoptist, I am classed as an allied health professional with specialist knowledge in diagnosing and treating eye movement defects. The most common types of patients I see are those with strabismus/squints (misaligned eyes), amblyopia (weaker vision in one eye and commonly known as a lazy eye) and diplopia (double vision). These problems can be caused by issues with uncorrected poor vision, the muscles around the eyes or defects in the nerves that enable the brain to communicate with the eyes.
We offer a range of non-surgical treatments to manage these conditions, including glasses, eye patches, prisms and exercises. I work closely with optometrists and ophthalmologists to provide the best level of care for our patients. orthoptists are also involved in many extended roles such as glaucoma, stroke, neuro-ophthalmology, special educational needs, chalazion, biometry and specific learning difficulties.
I wanted to become an orthoptist initially because I wanted to follow a career that involved working with children in the healthcare sector. I realised when I did my work experience at Whipps Cross Eye Treatment Centre at the age of 16 that 70% of the patients in orthoptics were children. I personally prefer working with paediatric patients, compared to adults because the assessments are usually more fun. They are usually very light-hearted, and we get to use fun toys and equipment! I love working with my brilliant optical services team as they’re supportive, caring and always put a smile on my face.
I find it really rewarding working as an orthoptist and knowing that I’m helping to improve a child’s vision is an amazing feeling. Some outcomes from this could be enabling them to improve their 3D vision, reaching the vision driving standard, or improving their vision for future pursuit of a career with vision requirements, for example The Army. I really enjoy the face-to-face patient contact and the relationships I build up with my patients over time.
Equally, when an adult patient has double vision, it can debilitate them so much; they may have to stop driving, working and their daily activities can be impaired. This can have a massive effect on them financially, physically, mentally and emotionally. To know that I am helping to alleviate their diplopia and helping to investigate the cause is a really positive feeling. That moment when patients find out they can drive or go back to work again is really lovely.
Covid-19 has affected us all in different ways. I have personally found it difficult to transition, especially when it is impossible to socially distance while assessing someone’s eyes. I’m really grateful for all the PPE we have been provided with, including our fun Disney themed visors!
As an allied health professional, I feel we often get overlooked. This is not only by the public, but even other health professionals rarely know who we are and what we do. Today on World Orthoptic Day, orthoptists all around the world will be promoting our profession.
