Orthopedists specialize in treating eye movement abnormalities, working with ophthalmologists to test patients and determine treatment options. They may work with specific age groups and must have good communication skills and patience, as well as a Bachelor’s degree and two years of training.
An orthopedist works directly with an ophthalmologist and their patients, specializing in eye movement abnormalities. People suffering from lazy or crossed eyes need medical treatment to correct their situation. Orthopedists are specifically trained to help those who suffer from these abnormalities.
An orthopedist assists an ophthalmologist by running tests to determine the severity of the abnormality and how well the patient can see in their current condition. Depending on the severity, treatment can be something as simple as using eye drops, wearing glasses, or wearing an eye patch. Sometimes the patient may need to undergo therapy to gain eye movement control and strengthen the eye muscles. The most severe cases require surgery that is not performed by an orthopedist, but by an ophthalmologist.
This line of work may have training available that specializes in working with a particular age group. For example, an orthopedist may prefer to work exclusively with pediatric patients who are born with ocular anomalies, or may want to work with adults who have sustained head injuries and are visually impaired as a result. Whatever the age preference, an orthopedist should be interested in working with people and the eye.
They must work well with people and have great communication skills, building patient trust. Eye injuries and abnormalities create highly stressful situations for the patient, and a good orthopedist should have the ability to calm them down, giving them hope for improvement and building their confidence to help themselves. Orthopedists use therapy on patients in the office, but must be able to teach them the necessary exercises for the patient to practice at home to speed up the healing process. They must have a lot of patience when working with children, as children are usually scared when it comes to someone who is in or close to their eyes. It is essential not only to calm the child down, but also to reassure him that everything will be fine.
Orthopedists usually work in the ophthalmologist’s office or in a clinic solely focused on eye care. However, they may be required to travel from office to office depending on the job description and individual patient needs. To become an orthopedist, you must attend college and earn a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree. Two years of training in an American Orthoptic Council (AOC) accredited program is required after college, requiring the orthopedist to pass a written exam before getting a job.
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