Freephone
The West Kent NHS helpline
The West Kent NHS helpline
0800 0 850 850
Children's sight
Orthoptists check vision, eye alignment and binocular vision (the way the eyes work together).
Our orthoptists are primarily concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of children with squints, “lazy” eye (amblyopia), and various conditions that may interfere with the ability to read comfortably.
Children with squints (a visual defect in which one eye cannot focus with the other on an object because of imbalance of the eye muscles) are managed in partnership with an ophthalmologist, who can prescribe glasses if necessary.
As pseudo-squint is common. Children who are suspected of having a squint can be referred normally by their health visitor to the orthoptist. After an initial check, the orthoptist will then refer on to the ophthalmologist those who have a genuine problem.
Children with squints (a visual defect in which one eye cannot focus with the other on an object because of imbalance of the eye muscles) are managed in partnership with an ophthalmologist, who can prescribe glasses if necessary.
As pseudo-squint is common. Children who are suspected of having a squint can be referred normally by their health visitor to the orthoptist. After an initial check, the orthoptist will then refer on to the ophthalmologist those who have a genuine problem.
What happens at an orthoptic assessment?
- Vision is assessed (the orthoptist has a range of special tests for children and babies that do not involve reading).
- Squints are detected by the patient looking at pictures or letters while the orthoptist covers one eye.
- Eye movements and muscles will be checked, by getting the patient to look in different directions.
- The way the eyes work together will be checked. This also involves looking at pictures and “magic eye” type tests.
Eye drops are not needed for these tests and they are all painless.
For more information:
Orthoptist – Margaret Stockwell
Tel: 01322 622359
Email: c/o maria.costen@westkentpct.nhs.uk|
For more information:
Orthoptist – Margaret Stockwell
Tel: 01322 622359
Email: c/o maria.costen@westkentpct.nhs.uk|
Wrotham Road Clinic
90c Wrotham Road
Gravesend
Kent DA11 0QQ
Clinics held at:
90c Wrotham Road
Gravesend
Kent DA11 0QQ
Clinics held at:
- Gravesend, Wrotham Road Clinic
- Gravesend, Rochester Road Clinic
- New Ash Green Clinic
Sevenoaks Hospital
Hospital Road
Sevenoaks
Kent TN13 3PG
Clinics held at Sevenoaks Hospital on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Hospital Road
Sevenoaks
Kent TN13 3PG
Clinics held at Sevenoaks Hospital on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Useful Websites
- BIOS
The British and Irish Orthoptic Society