orthoptist

1 9.3

A health worker who tests and treats problems with eye movement and seeing with both eyes

noun
/ɔrˈθɑptɪst/

Specialized

: ortoptista

The orthoptist recommended several eye exercises to improve my daughter's binocular vision.

Examples

During her visit, the orthoptist assessed the child's eye coordination and suggested a tailored therapy plan.
An orthoptist or optometrist on our team refracted those with uncorrected refractive error when functional vision could be improved through refraction.

Academic text (2009)
After the examination, the orthoptist explained the importance of proper eye movement in reading.

Synonyms

eye doctor

vsorthoptist

19 2.8

A doctor who checks and treats problems with the eyes

deals with eye movement and binocular vision problems specifically

optometrist

vsorthoptist

13 5.1

A person who checks eyes and prescribes glasses or contact lenses

addresses movement and binocular coordination, not only lens correction

ophthalmologist

vsorthoptist

Specialized

12 7.8

A doctor who treats eye problems and performs eye surgery

focuses on movement problems and binocular coordination rather than general diseases

oculist

vsorthoptist

Archaic

1 8.6

A doctor who checks and treats eyes

focuses on defects of eye movement and binocular vision

How Specialized

ophthalmologist

Specialized

12 7.8

orthoptist

Specialized

1 9.3

optometrist

13 5.1

optician

4 4.1

Surface Forms

orthoptist singular

orthoptists plural

Morphology

orthoptist = orthoptic (semi-transparent) = ortho + opt + ist

The suffix '-ist' meaning 'practitioner' is clear, but the internal combining forms 'ortho-' and 'opt-' are Greek elements not transparent to average learners.

Etymology

Orthoptist comes from Greek parts orth- 'straight' and opt- 'eye', like in orthodontist (who straightens teeth) and optic (about the eye). So an orthoptist is a specialist who helps 'straighten' how the eyes move so they work together and avoid double vision.