Be responsible for a clearer future
An orthoptist assists with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the eye. They specialise in non-surgical eye management and work as part of the team of practitioners that deliver eye care.

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Orthoptists are allied health professionals and key members of the medical eye care team who prevent, manage and research disorders of the eye and vision systems. They have particular expertise in the assessment and treatment of binocular vision (use of the two eyes as a pair). Orthoptists support patients who have visual problems associated with conditions such as stroke and head injury, work with partially sighted people and treat children with lazy eyes. Orthoptists assist in the assessment of patients with eye diseases and are skilled in many of the exacting diagnostic procedures related to disorders of the eye and visual system such as testing peripheral vision, ultrasonography, biometry, assisting in minor surgery and client instruction in the use of contact lenses.

The program aims to prepare graduates for registration with the Australian Orthoptic Board to be able to practice in Australia and may be completed on a full-time basis over two years or a part-time basis over four years.

Clinical & professional fieldwork
A number of clinical and professional fieldwork opportunities are scheduled as part of your course. This will give you the hands on experience with real clients in a supervised environment to allow you to combine the academic sections of your course with the practical abilities required of the orthoptics profession. Some of the clinical and professional fieldwork sites that students have attended previously include:

• Coorabel, Ryde Rehabilitation Centre
• Liverpool Hospital
• Royal Brisbane Hospital
• Royal Far West Children's Health Scheme, Manly
• Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children
• Save Sight Institute
• Sydney Eye Hospital
• Vision Australia

There are a number of essential requirements that students need to prepare for before attending any site for clinical and professional fieldwork. Further information on these and more is available at our Clinical & Professional Fieldwork website.

Commonwealth Supported Places
The Faculty has a number of Commonwealth Supported Places available for this program. These places offer a considerable reduction in fees and are awarded to applicants who rank highest in their Grade Point Average. You will be notified with your offer if you qualify for a Commonwealth Supported Place.

Course completion requirements

96 credit points: students are to complete as required the core, elective and general elective units of study shown in the Table of units of study for the award as set out in the Faculty of Health Sciences handbook.

On campus attendance pattern

Full time, Part time

End qualification

Master of Orthoptics

Professional recognition

The program prepares graduates for registration with the Australian Orthoptic Board. You will be eligible to practise immediately in Australia and your qualification is recognised in many other countries.

Course structure

Course level

Master by Coursework (Undifferentiated)

Handbook website link

http://www.usyd.edu.au/handbooks/handbooks_admin/health_science.shtml