The orthoptics department plays a vital role in evaluating and treating eye movement disorders and conditions related to binocular vision. eye movement disorders and conditions related to binocular vision. Our orthoptists are highly trained healthcare professionals who specialise in analysing how the eyes work individually, and together, with the brain to create clear, coordinated vision.
You may be referred to our department if you are experiencing symptoms such as double vision, ghosting of images, or blurred vision. These can often be signs of an underlying eye movement disorder or problem with how the eyes are aligning and focusing together. During your appointment, the orthoptist will discuss your symptoms in detail, including when they started and if there are any patterns or triggers.
The orthoptic evaluation itself is very comprehensive. It includes vision testing as well as assessments of eye alignment, muscle control, focusing ability, and eye movements. The orthoptist will have you focus on targets at different distances and positions to fully evaluate the coordination between your eyes and brain. These appointments typically last between 40-90 minutes to allow enough time for the orthoptist to thoroughly examine your condition and develop an appropriate treatment plan if needed.
Our orthoptists are experts at diagnosing and managing a wide range of vision disorders in both children and adults.
Opening hours: Monday – Friday 9.00 to 5.00pm
Moorfields Eye Hospital, City Road and Richard Desmond Children’s Centre
Moorfields Eye Centre at at St George’s Hospital
Moorfields Eye Centre at Croydon University Hospital
For queries relating directly to glasses including repair / replacement please contact
If the other eye has now started to turn this suggests the vision is almost equal. Contact the department who can advise on whether the hours of patching needs to be reduced or temporarily stopped.
Stop all patching and contact the department on the above number. It is important not to get the child to keep looking for the double vision image so they can learn to ignore it.
If your child’s squint changes i.e. increases in size (even when their glasses are worn) then please contact us.
Please contact us for us to send you out a new prism or foil with fitting instructions. This will take approximately 1 week.
Prisms need to be removed from glasses to be cleaned. To clean use warm soapy water then rise the prism with water. Whilst still damp place the smooth side of the prism of the inside of the glasses lens, press the prism down and push out the air bubbles. Allow prism to air dry / dry with kitchen towel. To prevent scratching the prism do not use harsh abrasives or lens cleaner.
f your double vision has resolved you can remove your prism or foil and discard it.
If your double vision changes i.e. separation of double image increases, or direction of double vision changes then please contact us above or attend A&E.
Most eye exercises are given for a period of three visits i.e. 3-4 months. If you feel your symptoms of eyestrain and or blurred vision for close have resolved then you may stop doing these exercises. If your symptoms return shortly after stopping the exercises, then you may restart these but do contact us for further advice.