Campaign to raise awareness of orthoptics profession

This year’s the is ‘Orthoptics Australia Wide’, and it is hoped the campaign will increase awareness of orthoptics to both the public and other healthcare professionals.Each day eye-catching facts and an orthoptist feature profile from a different state will be presented to highlight the fact that orthoptists live and work all over the country.According to Orthoptics Australia (OA), few people are fully aware of the role and expertise of an orthoptist, despite the fact it’s likely they have been helped by one at some stage in their life.“We have so many good news stories to share. Orthoptists are involved with vision impaired children and adults, some are on the team developing the bionic eye and others are working with cutting edge technology in the fight against age-related macular degeneration,” an OA spokesperson said.According to OA, orthoptists are uniquely skilled in ophthalmic diagnostic services and specialise in children’s vision, eye movent disorders and low vision care.They work across a range of settings including hospitals, private specialist practices and research centres.Orthoptics Awareness Week will run from Feb 27-Mar 3.