Orthoptics

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The orthoptics ( gr. Ορθοπτική orthoptiké "straight vision") belongs to the field of strabology , a very young specialty of ophthalmology . It deals preventively , diagnostically and therapeutically with all motor and sensory aspects of the pathology and physiology of binocular vision ( binocular vision ). In 1864, the engineer Louis Émile Javal - the "inventor of orthoptics" - developed the first stereoscope in Franceand founded a group of orthoptics. Clinical orthoptics found its origin in Great Britain around 1930 through Mary Maddox , daughter of the English ophthalmologist Ernest E. Maddox . From there it found its way to Germany in the 1950s, where the influential strabologist Curt Cüppers is considered to be a pioneer for their spread and establishment in the ophthalmic range of services.

Content focus

The main field of activity of orthoptics is the diagnosis and therapy of all forms of disturbed binocular vision , such as strabismus , gaze paralysis and nystagmus , but also ocular constrained head postures . In particular, the extensive, often apparatus-based diagnostics are of great importance here, as they support them to a decisive extent the indication for strabismus and nystagmus operations . Therapeutic measures can be found in exercise treatments to improve binocular vision, eye muscle operations and special glasses adjustments - often with the use of prismatic lenses .

For several years now, the focus of activity has been developing neuroorthoptics as an interdisciplinary area between ophthalmology, strabology and neurology with special clinical pictures of the afferent and efferent oculomotor system and the resulting special examination and treatment methods. Neuroorthoptics can be seen as a sub-area of neuroophthalmology .

organization

Orthoptic departments can be found in eye and rehabilitation clinics , early intervention centers for the visually impaired , as well as in many ophthalmological practices. They are popularly referred to as visual schools . The field has produced its own professional profile, which is one of the health professions in Germany : the orthoptist . However, since the overwhelming majority of the working people are female, one usually speaks of the orthoptist in everyday professional life and in the literature.

The international professional representation International Orthoptic Association has been calling for International World Orthoptic Day on the first Monday in June since 2013 .

literature

  • Wolfram Aust: pleoptics and orthoptics. A practical guide to conservative therapy for secondary strabismus. 2nd, revised edition. Karger, Basel a. a. 1973, ISBN 3-8055-1576-6 .
  • Katja Bossow: From the beginning of the strabismus treatment to the emergence of the profession of orthoptist. In: Würzburger medical history reports 23, 2004, pp. 528-534; here: pp. 530-534.
  • Herbert Kaufmann (Ed.): Strabismus. 3rd, fundamentally revised and expanded edition. Thieme, Stuttgart et al. 2004, ISBN 3-13-129723-9 .
  • Martin Klett, Ellen Kraus-Mackiw (ed.): Visual orientation. Thieme, Stuttgart et al. 1989, ISBN 3-13-727301-3 .
  • Joachim Otto: Textbook and Atlas of Orthoptics. Huber, Bern a. a. 1975, ISBN 3-456-80133-5 .
  • Christine Paul: Vision rehabilitation training. Therapy Guide for Orthoptists. Diagnosis and therapy of cerebral visual disorders after acquired brain damage. Praefcke, Ravensburg 1995, ISBN 3-9801412-1-7 .

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Katja Bossow: From the beginning of the strabismus treatment to the emergence of the profession of orthoptist. In: Würzburger medical history reports 23, 2004, pp. 528-534; here: p. 531.
  2. ↑ David Stidwill: Orthoptic Assessment and Management. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford et al. 1990, ISBN 0-632-02776-2 .
  3. ↑ Neuroorthoptics - a special focus of the squint ambulance at the University Eye Clinic Graz .