Definition

Noun: * A branch of ophthalmology dealing with the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of disorders of binocular vision, eye movements, and visual development, primarily through exercises and training of the eye muscles.

Usage

• Orthoptics is a specialized field allied to ophthalmology.
• An orthoptist is a healthcare professional trained in orthoptics.
• The goal of orthoptics is to improve coordination between the eyes.

Examples

• The child's strabismus was managed with a course of orthoptics.
• She decided to specialize in orthoptics after her degree.
• Orthoptics can be very effective in treating certain types of double vision.

Advanced Usage

• Field of practice: Orthoptics often involves prescribing and monitoring eye exercises (orthoptic exercises), using prisms, and performing detailed diagnostic tests of eye alignment and movement.

Variants and Related Words

• Orthoptist (noun): A practitioner specializing in orthoptics.
• Orthoptic (adjective): Relating to orthoptics (e.g., orthoptic treatment, orthoptic exercises).

Synonyms

• Vision therapy (Note: This is a broader term that can include orthoptic techniques among others.)
• Eye exercise therapy

Different Meanings

This word has a single, specific medical meaning related to eye care and binocular vision. It does not have common alternative definitions.

Noun

1. treatment of defects of binocular vision (such as strabismus and amblyopia) by nonsurgical measures (especially by exercises to strengthen the eye muscles)