What we do
Orthoptists are part of the eye care team working alongside Ophthalmologists and Optometrists. Being part of a multidisciplinary team we also support other hospital based departments offering our specialist knowledge to help diagnose and manage patients with complex conditions.
Orthoptists are healthcare professionals who work independently to care for both adults and children. They specialise in monitoring a range of different eye conditions and provide treatments and therapies for these conditions.
In our children’s eye clinics you may need to see an orthoptist, optometrist and an ophthalmologist.
Orthoptists specialise in the diagnosis, treatment and management of ocular motility (eye movement) and binocular vision disorders in all age groups. As we are highly skilled in paediatric vision assessment much of our work involves monitoring the development of vision and treating reduced vision (amblyopia) in children.
A squint may prevent the eyes from working together as a pair (binocular vision) and in some cases can affect eye sight in children. An Orthoptist will determine the presence of a squint and discuss the treatment options available depending on the type of squint diagnosed.
Many adults including a number of elderly people suffer from eye movement disorders, which may be caused by injury or disease resulting in symptoms of double vision. The Orthoptists role in such cases includes carrying out tests in order to diagnose which eye muscle(s) is responsible and to help with the relief of symptoms.
In addition to routine Orthoptic clinics for adults and children, we provide the following specialist clinics and services:
- Assessment of Stroke Patients
- Cerebral Visual Impairment Clinic
- Goldmann Visual Fields
- Maxillofacial Referrals
- Neurology and Neurosurgery Referrals
- Ocular Motility Clinic
- Children’s Oncology Clinic
- Children’s Eye Clinic
- Children’s Orthoptic/Optometry Clinic
- Research
- Teaching and Training
- Thyroid Eye Disease Clinics
Useful Links for further information
Contact us
Our address:
Orthoptics and Children’s Eye Clinic
St James’s Multi Speciality Outpatients
St James’s University Hospital
Beckett Street
Leeds
LS9 7TF
Location
Our service is based in the Multi Speciality Outpatient Building at St James University Hospital. For more information on this location, access our Accessibility guide.
Orthoptic services are also provided at:
Contact details:
Tel: Clinic Office 0113 206 4736
Email: [email protected]
Appointments
To change your appointment please ring the telephone number on your appointment letter. This is the most up to date telephone number for that type of clinic. If you do not have this please ring 0113 2064615.
Depending on which type of clinic your appointment is for you may need to be directed to a different number.