RNIB NI's Looking Ahead, A Parent's Guide (PDF, 560kb)

Master RNIB Booklet_Layout 1 10/09/2012 15:10 Page 36
36
An Ophthalmologist is a medical eye specialist
or eye doctor who deals with diagnosis and the
health of the eye, and child. They also can
perform surgery and prescribe drug medication
as necessary. The ophthalmologist has the ability
to request registration for an individual as blind
(severely sight impaired) or partially sighted
(sight impaired).
An Optometrist or Optician checks the child’s
vision, prescribing glasses and low vision aids as
necessary. An optometrist can also assess the
health of the eye, make an initial diagnosis,
manage some cases or refer a patient if
necessary.
An Orthoptist will look at the eye movements
paying close attention to the eye muscles, and is
mainly interested in binocular vision. Orthoptists
are involved in the management of squints (were
an eye turns in or out) or a lazy eye where the
vision is poorer in that eye and patching (of
the good eye) is some times indicated.
They also assess any unusual head tilts
associated with nystagmus.