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 …

What’s it like being an orthoptist?

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.

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. The starting wage for an orthoptist in the NHS is in the range of £22,000 – £26,000, with the potential to earn up to £90,000 at the highest level.

More details about the NHS pay scale can be found here.

You can find out more about orthoptics, and what an orthoptist does, here or download our Orthoptics Career Profile 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.

I’m interested, how do I become one?

To become an orthoptist, you require an undergraduate degree in orthoptics. You can find out more about the course, including where you can study, here.

The entry requirements vary for each university so please check their websites for more detail.

The general requirements are that you must have good GCSE Maths, English and Science grades and A levels/Highers or equivalent, with at least one science subject such as Biology, Maths, Physics or Chemistry. Alternative qualifications are considered and mature students are welcome to apply.
If you do not have the relevant academic background, there are options to study a Foundation Year degree or Access to Higher Education Diploma in Science prior to commencing the Orthoptic degree. Further details about Foundation Year degrees can be found on the websites of the University of Sheffield and University of Liverpool.