the Forth Valley Sensory Centre newsletter - Falkirk Council

vision, visual systems, and vision information processing. In Scotland,
community optometrists provide primary vision care including sight
testing and correction. They can diagnose and treat some eye diseases,
and if necessary they can refer patients to an ophthalmologist. Hospital
Optometrists work either independently or together with ophthalmologists
and orthoptists in the treatment and management of patients with various
eye conditions in the outpatient clinics. Optometrists complete an
undergraduate honours degree and a one-year "pre-registration period"
where they complete clinical practice under supervision before they are
eligible to register as an optometrist with the General Optical Council
(GOC)
Optician
Often confused with an optometrist, an optician is someone who makes
and dispenses spectacles and contact lenses but does not carry out
medical tests or treatments.
Orthoptist (from ortho – straight and optikas - vision) Orthoptists deal
with the diagnosis and treatment of problems with eye movement and
coordination, and they specialise in the management of visual
development. They are highly skilled in assessing children’s vision but
also diagnose and treat adults; they get involved in the assessment of
functional vision, the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as
dyslexia and carry out visual screening for children. They work alongside
the ophthalmologists in making decisions about when and what surgery
to carry out, and also work independently or alongside the optometrists.
Orthoptists complete an undergraduate degree course during which they
have a number of clinical placements. Once qualified they are registered
with the Health Professions Council
Ophthalmic nurses All nurses training today do a 3 year undergraduate
degree, which allows them to register with the Nursing and Midwifery
Council. They may then choose to take further post graduate education
relating to ophthalmology, or gain experience by working in the
speciality. Nurses work across all of the areas of the ophthalmology
department; many have developed a wide range of technical skills, but
Forth Valley Sensory Centre Newsletter - Autumn Edition Page 13