Everything you need to know about a career in eye health.
If you're exploring a career in eye health, orthoptics could be the profession for you. This guide breaks down what orthoptists do, how they differ from optometrists and ophthalmologists, and how to become one.
Ready to find out more? Explore the Master of Orthoptics at UTS.
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1. What is orthoptics?
Orth = straight + optics = eyes
Orthoptics is an allied healthcare discipline that specialises in the assessment, diagnosis and nonsurgical management of eye disorders.
2. What does an orthoptist do?
An orthoptist is an eye therapist. They assess how the eyes work together as a pair and measure visual function – our ability to see in everyday life.
Orthoptists specialise in a variety of areas including:
- Treating children with lazy eye (amblyopia) and turned eye (strabismus)
- Diagnosing and treating eye movement disorders following stroke and brain injury
- Low vision care/rehabilitation
- General eye disease
- Care and patient education in cataract, diabetes and macular disease
- Neurological vision disorders
- Refractive eye surgery consultants and assistants in minor surgery
3. What's the difference between an orthoptist, optometrist and ophthalmologist?
These three eye health professionals are often confused, but each plays a distinct role.
| Position | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Orthoptist | A clinician who specialises in the assessment, diagnosis and non-surgical treatment, management and rehabilitation of patients with eye disorders. |
| Optometrist | A primary health practitioner in eye health who provides advice on visual problems, referrals for secondary investigations and prescribes glasses. |
| Ophthalmologist | An eye specialist and medical doctor with specialist training in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases. |
4. Where do orthoptists work?
You can find orthoptists in hospitals, private practice, low vision and rehabilitation settings, community health, clinical research centres and universities.
Orthoptists work in a wide-variety of areas, including neonatal care, paediatrics, rehabilitation, geriatrics and neurological impairment, with careers in community, management, ophthalmic technology and industry.
5. Why become an orthoptist?
A rewarding, people-centred profession
Orthoptists play a critical role in improving quality of life for people with vision problems. Imagine transforming the life of someone that has difficulty completing simple tasks, such as pouring a cup of tea because they have double vision!
Strong career prospects
Demand for orthoptists in Australia is growing due to the ageing population. According to Australian Jobs 2026, produced by Jobs and Skills Australia, employment in the combined optometry and orthoptics workforce is projected to grow by 18% in the five years to May 2030.
Work locally or globally
Opportunities throughout urban and rural Australia are plentiful. Or, if you have globe-trotting ambitions, orthoptists with an Australian qualification are often eligible to practice internationally.
Variety of workplace options
Opportunities are endless – join an orthoptic team in a hospital, or an ophthalmic private practice. Become a practice manager, or have your own private practice. Specialise in low vision rehabilitation, or volunteer overseas. Work in community health, become a researcher, or work in the biomedical equipment and pharmaceutical industry.
Orthoptics has allowed me to help children to achieve their best possible vision. Being an orthoptist is rewarding, especially when we work together with families to provide the best patient care.
6. How to become an orthoptist
The Master of Orthoptics is a professional health qualification that leads to registration as an Orthoptist. This course is offered on a two-year full-time basis and is the only course of its kind in NSW. To be eligible for application, you’ll need to have completed a UTS recognised bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent or higher qualification – no other prerequisites needed.
7. Why study at UTS?
Links with clinics and hospitals
You’ll gain hands-on, high quality experience in clinics both nationally and internationally. The course has been developed in collaboration with Orthoptics Australia and is fully accredited by the Australian Orthoptic Board.
World-class study environment
Our state-of-the-art facilities create the optimal learning and study environments.
Small cohort
The small orthoptics cohort fosters a sense of community between staff and students. You won't feel lost in the crowd.
Rigorous training
We prepare students for success through practice-based learning that includes in-class simulation, clinical placements, interdisciplinary workshops and authentic assessments.