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Orthoptics

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Orthoptists specialise in the assessment, diagnosis, management and monitoring of a variety of eye disorders in both adults and children.

The disorders can be caused by issues with the muscles around the eyes, or issues with the nerves enabling the brain to communicate with the eyes.

Important: Contact

Orthoptics department

phone 01463 706 331

Orthoptics clinics

There are outpatient clinics for orthoptics at:

In addition, the eye department of NHS Highland also provides services to the Western Isles and Orkney Health Boards.

Referral

If you have concerns about your child's eyes you can seek referral from your health visitor, school nurse, local GP or local community optometrist.

If you are experiencing diplopia (double vision), you can be referred to the orthoptic clinic from your local GP or community optometrist.

If you have developed sudden changes with your eyes, please seek urgent attention from your local GP or community optometrist, who can assess your eyes and onward refer to the relevant professionals.

Referrals can also be made from other health care professionals and accident and emergency.

Your appointment

If you are unable to attend your appointment please phone the number on your letter to cancel or reschedule, so the appointment slot can be given to someone else.

If your child's glasses are lost or broken, it may be best to reschedule the appointment - contact the orthoptic department.

When you arrive for your appointment, please check in at the main reception desk straight in front of you as you enter the building. They will check your details and show you where to wait for your appointment.

Please bring all your current up-to-date glasses with you to your appointment. If it's your first time visiting us, it may be useful for you to bring a list of your current medication and glasses prescription, if available.

What to expect when you visit

Orthoptic-only appointment

An appointment usually lasts around 30 minutes for children and 60 minutes for adults.

The orthoptist will assess your eyes using a variety of equipment, adjusting the tests to fit your abilities and needs. They will discuss any changes required to your treatment or management plan.

Your review appointment will be discussed at the end of the assessment.

Orthoptic plus optometry

This appointment typically lasts 60-90 minutes.

You will be assessed by the orthoptists first who will discuss their findings with you.

They will then instil a dilating drop to enlarge your pupils, this allows the optometrist to carry out their assessment. These drops take 30 minutes to work and during this time will be asked to sit back out in the waiting area. It may be useful to bring a hat or sunglasses to use after your eyes have dilated, as you may be sensitive to light afterwards.

Once the drops have taken effect, the optometrist will call you into the room. They will use different light sources and lenses to look at the health of your eye and check your glasses prescription. They will then discuss their finding with you.

If you require a first prescription or change in prescription, you will be given a voucher to take to any community optometrist of your choosing who will help you pick the right frame for you.

Your review appointment will be discussed at the end of the assessment.

Orthoptic and ophthalmology

The time of this appointment can vary depending on your condition. It usually takes around 30-90 minutes depending on if you need dilating eye drops instilled.

The orthoptist will discuss your case with the ophthalmologist prior to seeing you, to determine which tests are required.

The orthoptist will assess your eyes first and instil any dilating drops that were requested by the ophthalmologist. You will be asked to sit out in the waiting area and the ophthalmologist will call you into the room when they are ready to see you.

The ophthalmologist will carry out any further investigations required and discuss the findings and management plan with you.

Your review appointment will be discussed at the end of the assessment.

Patient information

PDF format versions of patient information leaflets distributed by the orthoptics service.

Orthoptists make a difference (video)

Orthoptists specialise in diagnosing and treating eye movement and visual development disorders. Watch an introductory video from the British and Irish Orthoptic Society.

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Last updated: 17 February 2025

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NHS Highland
Assynt House
Beechwood Park
Inverness
IV2 3BW

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