A/Prof Amanda French shares how three orthoptists are expanding access and driving innovation during
Orthoptics Awareness Week 2026.
The theme of Orthoptics Awareness Week (1-5 June) this year, Because I am an Orthoptist, shone a spotlight not only on the work orthoptists do, but on the motivation behind it. It reflected a profession grounded in patient care, clinical expertise and a commitment to improving quality of life through better vision outcomes.
While the profession is comparatively small, its influence reaches far beyond clinical settings. Orthoptists work across hospitals, ophthalmology clinics, research programs, education and community outreach, often driving innovation and improving access to care for underserved populations. The stories of three Australian orthoptists demonstrate the breadth of the profession and the profound impact orthoptists are making locally, nationally and internationally.
Rosamond Gilden’s career has focused on improving access to eye health care in communities where services are limited or difficult to reach. Her early work as clinical coordinator of the National Eye Health Survey involved contributing to research and education initiatives aimed at improving eye health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including work connected to the Roadmap to Close the Gap for Vision.
In this role, Rosamond used her orthoptic expertise to help train Aboriginal Health Workers in vision screening, ocular assessment techniques and eyecare referral pathways. She also led the establishment of the Orthoptics Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Committee, helping strengthen the profession’s commitment to culturally safe and accessible care.
Her work later expanded internationally, supporting diabetic retinopathy screening and treatment education programs across the South Pacific and Japan. By helping build local workforce capacity, Rosamond has contributed to more sustainable and accessible eye health services in regions where specialist care can be scarce.
“Because I am an orthoptist, I have been able to improve patient outcomes not only through clinical care, but also through broader health system change,” she says. “Orthoptics has provided me with the opportunity to combine clinical expertise with collaboration, innovation and to push the boundaries of how orthoptists can contribute to global eye health outcomes.”
For Rebekah (surname withheld), the opportunity to make a difference emerged much closer to home.
While working in a private ophthalmic clinic in Victoria, she recognised that many teenage and adult patients with binocular vision anomalies were not receiving the dedicated assessment and therapy they needed. Symptoms such as blurred vision, diplopia and difficulty shifting focus were common, often linked to underlying conditions including keratoconus, cataracts, retinal disease and visual field loss.
The challenge was not identifying the issue – it was finding enough time within a busy ophthalmology practice to properly assess and manage these complex cases. In response, Rebekah established an orthoptic-led Binocular Vision Clinic at Peninsula Eye Centre in Mornington. The clinic provides patients with detailed orthoptic assessments and targeted therapy programs designed to restore, strengthen and maintain binocular vision.
The impact has been significant. Patients who had struggled with everyday activities are now regaining confidence and independence, with many able to return to driving, sport and daily living activities.
“Because I am an orthoptist, I recognised the need to better address binocular anomalies in teenagers and adults,” Rebekah says. “By establishing an orthoptic-led Binocular Vision Clinic, I’ve created the time and space for detailed assessment and targeted therapy.”
In Tasmania, orthoptist Zoe Deuxberry is focused on improving access to vision screening for children, particularly those who may otherwise fall through the gaps.
After beginning her career in Singapore at the Singapore National Eye Centre, Zoe moved to Hobart to work at the Royal Hobart Hospital, where she now manages paediatric vision disorders, strabismus and ophthalmic conditions through several specialty clinics.
During her time in Tasmania, Zoe identified the absence of a statewide preschool vision screening program similar to New South Wales’ successful Statewide Eyesight Preschooler Screening program. Without systematic screening, children with reduced vision or amblyopia may not be identified early enough for effective treatment.
Determined to improve early detection, Zoe has been working alongside nursing teams to strengthen vision screening protocols for children across the state.
She is also passionate about ensuring neurodiverse children can access comfortable and effective eyecare. Zoe regularly visits the Southern Support School in Hobart, providing vision screening for students with intellectual disabilities and complex support needs.
“Because I am an orthoptist, I am committed to ensuring every child has access to vision screening, continually improving eyecare services and creating safe, supportive environments where even neurodiverse children can be comfortably and effectively assessed,” she says.
Together, these stories highlight a profession driven not only by clinical skill, but by compassion, innovation and a shared determination to improve outcomes for patients. Because they are orthoptists.
About the author: Associate Professor Amanda French is the president of Orthoptics Australia and head of orthoptics at the University of Technology Sydney.
