Orthoptist - REI Orthoptics

Orthoptic Clinical Duties: To take sole responsibility for the Orthoptic assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients referred from outside agencies and to manage, using individual treatment plans, the associated amblyopia (non pathological vision loss) and other visual symptoms. This group of patients includes children with significant sight defects and requires a considerable degree of empathy and family support. In adults the diagnosis of acute onset ocular motility defects require a significantly high level of anatomical and neurological knowledge when there may be the need to make a differential diagnosis between clinical conditions. To formulate, implement and monitor individualised management and treatment programmes using clinical reasoning and a wide range of treatment skills, for patients of all ages using advanced clinical reasoning and evidence based practise. Communicating effectively with patients, & / parents, & / carers those plans and to assess capacity and gain
informed consent to those treatment plans. To take sole responsibility to formulate relevant discharge plans and onward referral. This patient group comprises all cases of ocular motility defects and amblyopia (reduced vision with no pathological cause, which can only be treated before the age of 7-8 years), complex congenital and acquired cases, including neurological abnormalities, genetic disorders and associated ocular abnormalities. To be responsible as an autonomous practitioner for the evaluation of visual acuity and visual behaviour in referrals from the specialist services. This includes infants with strabismus (squint) and amblyopia, congenital or developmental abnormalities, genetic referral, adult illiterates, children and adults with significant learning difficulties as well as acute ocular motility defects in both children and adults. To assess patient results and act when they show new or change in existing clinical signs. To work with and support the Consultant