Orthoptics and Optometry
Orthoptic and Optometry Department
Eye Clinic
Outpatients Level 2
Torbay Hospital
Lowes Bridge
Torquay TQ2 7AA
General enquiries: 01803 654442
Appointments: 01803 656351
Email: Orthoptic Department
Our team
The Orthoptic and Optometry team consists of several different professional specialisms working together to care for people with a wide range of visual defects:
- Orthoptists
- Vision screeners
- Optometrists
- Dispensing opticians
- Contact lens opticians
Orthoptic services
Orthoptists are specialist members of the eye care team who assess, diagnose, and treat patients of all ages with defects of eye movement and binocular vision. They specialise in disorders including:
- Disorders of eye movement and binocular vision
- Strabismus (squint)
- Amblyopia (lazy eye)
- Specialist vision assessment following a stroke or brain injury
- Assessment of children with special educational needs
Our highly trained vision screeners also undertake childhood vision screening across the region.
For more details on this profession, you can read the British and Irish Orthoptic Society guide on what is orthoptics. Orthoptists are registered Allied Health Professionals regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Children’s vision screening service
Vision screening is designed to detect reduced vision in one or both eyes. It is usually carried out at school when children are between 4 and 5 years old, ensuring any necessary treatment starts when it is most effective.
Why screen at 4 to 5 years of age?
Amblyopia (lazy eye) occurs when the vision in one or both eyes does not develop properly. It affects roughly 1 in 50 children. Children are usually completely unaware that their vision is weaker than normal in one eye. If detected early, the condition can be treated successfully using glasses, eye patches, or both.
Optometry services
Optometrists examine eyes for defects in sight, ocular diseases, and problems related to general health. They also fit and supply optical appliances such as spectacles, contact lenses, and low vision aids.
Dispensing and contact lens opticians
Our dispensing and contact lens opticians advise on, fit, and supply appropriate spectacle frames and lenses, as well as providing contact lens aftercare.
The hospital-based optometry team provides specialised services including:
- Specialist refraction and prescribing of corrective lenses
- Adult and paediatric low vision aid assessments (LVA) at OPTIMA in Totnes
- Specialist, clinically necessary contact lens fitting and assessment (including cosmetic, therapeutic, and keratoconic lenses)
To learn more about these professional standards, visit the College of Optometrists website or read the Association of British Dispensing Opticians guide.
Ophthalmic services
Our specialists work across various specialised areas of ophthalmology, including:
- Cataracts
- Cornea and keratoconus monitoring
- Glaucoma
- Paediatric ophthalmology
- Retinal diseases
- Uveitis
Our clinics
While services are predominantly situated at Torbay Hospital, appointments can sometimes be arranged at local community clinics or special schools.
Community clinics:
- Brixham
- Dawlish
- Newton Abbot
- Paignton
- Teignmouth
- Totnes
Special school clinics:
- Bidwell Brook School
- Mayfield School
- Oaklands Park School
Your appointment
If you wear glasses for reading or distance, please bring them with you to your appointment.
Routine orthoptic appointments last either 30 or 60 minutes depending on your condition. Your visit will be longer if you have a joint appointment to see an ophthalmologist or optometrist on the same day. If you receive 2 or 3 separate text messages regarding your appointment times, please attend at the earliest clinic time provided.
Important information about eye drops: You or your child may need to have dilating eye drops during the assessment. These drops blur vision and make lights appear brighter. Because your vision will be temporarily blurred, you must not drive yourself home from the appointment. We also recommend bringing a sunhat or sunglasses to help with the brightness.
If you cannot attend, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer the slot to another patient. To cancel or change your appointment, call us directly on 01803 656351.
Teaching department
Torbay Orthoptic and Optometry Department is a teaching facility for undergraduate students. If a student is present, we will ask your permission for them to observe or assist. Students are always fully supervised by a senior clinical member of staff.