Orthoptics
Specialized Care for Eye Alignment, Movement & Co-ordination
Orthoptics is a highly specialized branch of eye care that focuses on the diagnosis and non-surgical management of disorders related to eye alignment, eye movements, and binocular (two-eyed) vision. At Vijay Eye Care Hospital, our dedicated Orthoptics department plays a crucial role in treating conditions such as squint (strabismus), amblyopia (lazy eye), and double vision, helping patients of all ages achieve comfortable, efficient, and harmonious visual function. Our expert orthoptists work closely with ophthalmologists to provide a holistic approach to vision correction and rehabilitation.
Many visual issues, particularly in children, stem not from the clarity of each eye individually, but from how the two eyes work together as a team. Conditions like a squint, where the eyes point in different directions, can lead to blurred vision, depth perception problems, or even the brain suppressing the image from one eye, resulting in a lazy eye. For adults, problems with eye coordination can cause debilitating double vision, headaches, and eye strain, severely impacting daily activities and quality of life. Our orthoptic team is specifically trained to identify these subtle yet significant challenges.
Conditions We Treat Through Orthoptics
Our orthoptists provide expert evaluation and tailored treatment plans for a range of conditions, including:
Squint (Strabismus): Misalignment of the eyes, which can be constant or intermittent, affecting one or both eyes.
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye): Reduced vision in one eye due to the brain favoring the other eye, often linked to strabismus or a large difference in prescription between the eyes.
Diplopia (Double Vision): When the eyes fail to work together, resulting in seeing two images of a single object.
Eye Movement Disorders: Issues with the nerves or muscles controlling eye movements.
Convergence Insufficiency: Difficulty for the eyes to turn inward to maintain focus on near objects, leading to eye strain and headaches.
Nystagmus: Involuntary rhythmic oscillations of the eyes.
Learning-Related Vision Problems: Assessing how eye coordination issues might impact reading and learning.
Our approach at Vijay Eye Care Hospital begins with a thorough and precise orthoptic assessment. This involves a detailed evaluation of eye alignment, eye movements, depth perception, and binocular function using a variety of specialized tests. Based on these findings, our orthoptists develop a customized treatment plan. For children, early intervention is key, often involving patching therapy for amblyopia, eye exercises (orthoptic exercises), or specialized prism spectacles. In adults, treatment might focus on managing double vision with prisms, or exercises to improve eye teaming and reduce strain.
We work in close conjunction with our pediatric ophthalmology and adult ophthalmology teams to ensure integrated care. For cases where surgical intervention for strabismus is considered, our orthoptists play a vital role in pre-operative assessment and post-operative follow-up, ensuring the best possible functional and cosmetic outcome. Our goal is not just to correct the cosmetic appearance of misaligned eyes but, crucially, to restore or improve binocular vision, depth perception, and overall visual comfort, enhancing our patients’ quality of life significantly.