Orthoptics

Child Development Centre (CDC) Orthoptic Assessment

The Child Development Centre (CDC) offers therapy and care for the Grimsby area’s children with special medical and educational needs. The team includes Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Audiologists, Consultant Paediatrician, Educational Psychologist, Nursery Nurses and teachers and the Orthoptist.

If a problem is detected, then a referral is made to one of the Consultant Ophthalmologists in the eye clinic.

Pre-school children who attend are initially assessed over a six week period, when every child is seen and spends time with each of the centre’s multi disciplinary team.

The team includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists, audiologists, consultant paediatrician, educational psychologist, nursery nurses and teachers and the Orthoptist.

The role of the Orthoptist within this team is to provide a full visual assessment of the child, liaising closely with the nursery nurses and teachers regarding any concerns over the child.

Assessment includes visual acuity testing, confrontational visual fields (if requested), eye movement and detection of squints, lazy eye etc.

If a problem is suspected, then a referral is made to one of the Consultant Ophthalmologist in the eye clinic.

If a child is then diagnosed with an eye problem, follow-up outpatient services are then provided in the main hospital building but close communication is maintained with the staff of the CDC on the progress of the eye treatment.

The CDC with it’s multi disciplinary approach enables the children to reach their full potential and offers support and practical help to the families.