Orthoptics (Greek: straight sight) are the fields in optics concerned with ill-positioning and -movements of the eyes and their treatments. These disorders affect binocular sight, the sight with two eyes, two separate and different visual impressions that are combined to one image by the brain. This enables us to perceive depth and space. Disorders may be innate or caused by a disease.
The methods of orthoptics and vision therapy are mainly aimed at children and youth, who are in the process of fully developing the connection between eye and brain.
The most commonly treated concern is strabismus (crossed eyes). In this disorder the range of vision of both eyes are not aligned. The non-aligned eye may develop amblyopia (lazy eye) and deteriorate spatial orientation. There are various forms of strabismus, of which most are innate and appear in early childhood. The neglected eye may be weakened.
The therapy options of orthoptics are plenty, including corrective lenses. Strabismus in early childhood may be treated by covering the healthy eye or lenses. An early diagnosis promises success of the therapy.
Cases of strabismus with large differences in range, that might impact social interactions, or that have lost spatial orientation completely have the possibility of extraocular muscle surgery. The costs for this intervention are covered by the obligatory health insurance.
In sudden cases strabismus may lead to double vision, which can be corrected by surgery or with specific corrective lenses (prisms). Hemianopsia (loss of half vision) requires reading training for optimal use of the remaining sight. Prism-glasses extend the range of sight and are used in these cases too.
Suddenly appearing cases of strabismus require swift diagnosis. In general, most disorders are, that are related to the position or movement of the eyes, treatable with vision therapy. We offer you diagnosis, advice, and therapy in the field of orthoptics at Augen Zentrum Dietikon.