Orthoptics: what is it and what is it for?

Eye disorders are extremely common, but often go untreated. Data by the World Health Organization indicate that, all over the world, 1 out of 5 people have a visual defect, at least half of which could have been avoided. Orthoptics is the medical subspecialty that addresses these conditions. Find out what diseases it treats.

Orthoptics: what is it?

Orthoptics is a subspecialty of Ophthalmology that assesses and treats imbalances associated with eye movement and coordination. The word “Orthoptics” comes from the Greek “Ortho” and “Optika”, which translate to “straight eyes”. Therefore, this field is directly linked to the treatment of strabismus (misalignment of the eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye), double vision and difficulty reading.

Furthermore, Orthoptics helps detect several other pathologies like glaucoma, cataracts,  diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and neurological vision impairment. This subspecialty can be especially important for Paediatric Ophthalmology, as it is in the first years of life that particular attention should be paid to the correct development of children’s visual systems. 

What are the consequences of not seeking help from Orthoptics?

The consequences of failing to treat vision problems that could be addressed by Orthoptics can vary, depending on the type and severity of the specific disorder. However, the consequences can include:

Compromised vision

Untreated vision disorders can compromise eyesight. For example, failing to treat amblyopia (lazy eye) can lead to permanent vision loss in the affected eye. If untreated, strabismus can lead to binocular vision dysfunction and difficulty coordinating the eyes, affecting depth perception and causing double vision.

Impact on quality of life

Failing to treat vision disorders can have significant impact on quality of life. Problems such as blurred vision, eye fatigue, eye discomfort, frequent headaches and difficulty reading can make daily activities more difficult and compromise academic, professional and social performance.

Learning difficulties

Children with untreated vision problems, such as amblyopia or convergence disorders, can develop learning difficulties, especially in tasks that require reading, writing or visual concentration. This can affect their performance at school and development in general.

Delayed visual development

Childhood is a decisive period for visual development. Untreated vision problems during this phase can result in permanent visual difficulties for life.

Emotional and psychosocial impact

Patients can feel self-conscious about their eye appearance, suffer from low self-esteem and have social interaction difficulties due to conditions like strabismus or double vision.

Ophthalmology at Joaquim Chaves Saúde

At Joaquim Chaves Saúde, you will find a team of experienced and specialised professionals to diagnose every type of eye disorder, quickly and precisely. We have state-of-the-art technology to obtain accurate evaluations and prescribe the most effective treatment for each specific case, helping you restore your eye health. Schedule an appointment now, on our app or your personal section of our website.