Pediatric Orthoptic Care
If your child has an eye condition that affects eye movement, eye alignment or vision development, orthoptic care can help. At OSF HealthCare Children's Hospital of Illinois, our orthoptic team helps children improve eye coordination, strengthen visual function and support healthy vision as they grow.
What is an orthoptist?
An orthoptist is a trained eye care professional who diagnoses and treats eye movement and alignment disorders using specialized testing, vision assessments and nonsurgical methods.
When should your child see an orthoptist?
Your child may be referred to an orthoptic team when there are concerns about eye alignment, vision development or eye tracking. You can ask your provider about an evaluation if your child:
- Has crossed or wandering eyes
- Frequently tilts or turns their head to see
- Closes or covers one eye
- Squints often or has difficulty focusing
- Complains of double vision
- Has trouble tracking objects or reading
- Has been diagnosed with strabismus, amblyopia or another vision condition
Conditions We Help Diagnose and Manage
Our orthoptic team helps diagnose and manage many childhood eye conditions, including:
- Strabismus (crossed or misaligned eyes)
- Amblyopia (lazy eye)
- Diplopia (double vision)
- Eye movement disorders
- Binocular vision disorders
- Convergence insufficiency
- Cranial nerve palsies affecting eye movement
- Other conditions affecting eye alignment and coordination
Nonsurgical Treatments We Provide
Many childhood eye conditions can be successfully treated with nonsurgical therapies. Your child's treatment plan is based on their diagnosis, age and visual development.
Nonsurgical treatment options may include:
- Eye patching
- Prism lenses
- Prescription glasses
- Vision therapy exercises
- Home eye-movement exercises
- Ongoing monitoring of eye alignment and vision development
If surgery is recommended, your orthoptist will work closely with your child's pediatric ophthalmologist before and after the procedure.
Working Together with Pediatric Ophthalmologists
Your child's eye care is guided by a team of specialists working together. Pediatric ophthalmologists are medical doctors who diagnose complex eye conditions and perform surgery when needed. They work closely with your child’s orthoptist to develop personalized treatment plans that achieve the best possible outcomes.
Advanced Training and Certification
Orthoptists receive advanced education and complete specialized certification in pediatric vision disorders, giving them unique expertise in evaluating how children's eyes work together. Their specialized skills help identify subtle vision problems early, guide personalized treatment plans and monitor your child's progress as they grow.
Ask for a Referral
If you think your child may benefit from orthoptic care, ask their primary care provider for a referral to a pediatric ophthalmologist. Need a primary care provider? Browse our directory.