Orthoptics

Community Orthoptics

The Community Orthoptist at Grimsby holds clinics at Kingsley Grove, Immingham, Weelsby View Health Centre and Cleethorpes Clinic. Referrals for these clinics are received from School Nurses and Health Visitors.

If a squint or visual problem is detected then referral to a Consultant Ophthalmologist is arranged. Any necessary glasses are prescribed, following which orthoptic treatment, if needed can commence.

Outreach clinics are also carried out at Goole and District Hospital, Crosby Health Centre and the Child Development Centre at Scunthorpe.

Criteria For Referral

• suspected squint
• strong family history of squint and / or glasses
• unequal vision or bilateral reduced visual acuity
• under 9 years of age

A full orthoptic assessment is carried out. If a squint or visual problem is detected then referral to a Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital is arranged. Any necessary glasses are prescribed then orthoptic treatment in the Orthoptic department is commenced.

Many children have pseudo squints which require no treatment and these can be detected by the Community Orthoptist thereby freeing up the Orthoptic Department, allowing more available appointments for those that require treatment.

Also, accurate visual assessment by the Community Orthoptist enables those children who have failed a visual acuity test with a Health Visitor/ School Nurse due to poor co-operation to be detected and so save the necessity of a hospital appointment.

The Immingham clinic is also used as an Outreach clinic. Because of the distance from Grimsby, orthoptic reviews are seen at each session, making it easier for the patient to receive treatment without having to travel into Grimsby.