The Nystagmus Network now produces a digital newsletter for Dispensing Opticians and Optometrists. The first edition has just been published, bringing nystagmus news, stories and information directly to high street and community practices.
Let’s go for an eye test!
Our next webinar is all about going to a high street optician’s when you have nystagmus.
Tuesday 12 May at 3pm
You have had an eye test … what now ?
An interactive webinar for the nystagmus community.
Jayshree Vasani (Dispensing Optician) and Sarah Arnold (Optometrist) want to dispel the myths around what happens after the hospital appointment.
What happens when you are discharged from the hospital eye service in to community practice?
Why is it vital that you have regular eye checks?
How do I get the very best vision for my child?
What is a Dispensing Optician and Optometrist?
How can professionals in eye care work together to benefit me or my child?
These are questions we want to discuss and answer!
So join us for this webinar!
We are excited to be meeting you all online and are looking forward to the question and answer session!
See you there!
Jayshree and Sarah
CLICK OR TAP HERE to book your place
Reading an optician’s prescription
Although glasses cannot stop nystagmus they can correct refractive errors, such as long or short sight and astigmatism, to make the sight as clear as it can be.
Do you understand what all the numbers and words actually mean on your prescription? Specsavers have made a handy video explaining everything. Watch here to find out from Dr Nigel Best DOptom MCOptom FBCLA FAAO, a qualified Specsavers optometrist.
Watch the video here.
Orthoptist, Optometrist or Ophthalmologist?
With all those job titles beginning with ‘O’ it can be a bit confusing trying to work out who does what at the eye clinic. Here’s a handy guide from the British and Irish Orthoptic Society, BIOS:
Orthoptist, Optometrist or Ophthalmologist?
Aside from Orthoptists, there are a number of other professions working in eye health. Unhelpfully they also all begin with ‘O’! This is our brief guide to the main differences between Orthoptists, Optometrists and Ophthalmologists.
What is an Orthoptist?
Orthoptists are the experts in diagnosing and treating defects in eye movement and problems with how the eyes work together, called binocular vision. These can be caused by issues with the muscles around the eyes or defects in the nerves enabling the brain to communicate with the eyes.
They see patients with a wide range of conditions affecting their vision. They are trained to offer a range of treatments, including eye patches, eye exercises, prisms or glasses. They also commonly work with patients with neurological conditions, such as stroke, brain tumours or multiple sclerosis.
The majority of Orthoptists are employed by the NHS in hospitals or community eye services. Although many also work in rehabilitation centres and special and mainstream schools. They will often work in wider eye care teams, alongside Ophthalmologists and sometimes Optometrists.
You can find out more about Orthoptists here.
And how is this different from the other eye care professions?
Ophthalmologists are medically trained doctors that specialise in diseases and injuries in and around the eye. They act both as physicians, diagnosing and prescribing treatments, and surgeons, performing operations. They typically work in eye hospitals and hospital eye departments, often alongside Orthoptists.
Orthoptists will often work collaboratively with Ophthalmologists to investigate and manage diseases of the eyes, with Orthoptists specialising in non-surgical treatment. While Ophthalmologists, as medical doctors, are able to perform complex surgery prescribe a wider range of medicines.
More information can be found on the Royal College of Ophthalmologists website.
Optometrists are trained to examine the eyes to detect defects in vision, signs of injury, ocular diseases or abnormality. They also identify the signs of problems with general health, such as diabetes of high blood pressure. All Optometrists are able to offer clinical advice, prescribe glasses or contact lenses and refer patients for further treatment. They typically work in high street opticians, carrying out eye examinations, but some also work in hospitals or community clinics.
Whereas an Orthoptist is concerned with how the eyes work together and interact with the brain to create vision, Optometrists are primarily focused on the examination of the eye itself.
More information can be found on the College of Optometrists website.
Dispensing opticians are trained to advise on and fit glasses according to a prescription provided by an Optometrist or specialist Ophthalmologist. They are skilled in offering advice on lenses for specific purposes, such as night driving, UV protection or sports and safety wear.
More information can be found on the Association of Dispensing Opticians website.