World Orthoptic Day is on Monday 2 June 2014. The day, which is run by the International Orthoptic Association, is an opportunity to heighten the visibility of the orthoptic profession and to promote the activities of orthoptists locally, nationally, and internationally.
Andy Tao has worked for Vision Australia since he graduated as an orthoptist three years ago. He visited Vision Australia’s facility in Enfield as a student and was inspired to apply for a role.
“I have always been interested in allied health and I was very interested to see what orthoptics was all about,” he said.
Andy who works at Vision Australia’s Coorparoo Centre in Queensland says it is the diversity of the role that he most enjoys.
“We see a variety of clients, mostly elderly, but a mix of children and young adults too.”
During a low vision clinic, Andy provides the patient with information about their eye condition. He then guides them through a process designed to help them make the most of their remaining vision. He looks at various techniques such as adjusting lighting, contrast and even posture.
“It can be as simple as hearing clients say ‘Wow, I can see that, I can read that.’ It is very rewarding to help them achieve their goals,” said Andy.
Many people who attend Vision Australia’s low vision clinics have self referred or identify that they have heard of us through word of mouth. “People with even moderate vision loss can benefit from our service,” he said. “There are so many people out there struggling. I’d really like to see more referrals to Vision Australia from optometrists and opthalmologists. We can make a really big difference.”
Looking for a career that could really make a difference in people’s lives, Vincent came to Vision Australia twelve months ago, after working as a vision scientist in an electro diagnostic centre.
“I wasn’t getting any feedback about what happened to patients after diagnosis, so I started looking for something else. I wanted to know the outcomes for my clients and learn more about low vision. My ultimate aim is to help people through providing them with a greater understanding of their vision,” Vincent says.
Vision Australia’s centre in Enfield, Sydney runs five low vision clinics a fortnight. There are also regular clinics that run from our Vision Australia’s Caringbah site. In addition, satellite clinics operate at Pennant Hills, Penrith, Campbelltown, Mt Pritchard, Forestville, University of NSW and Sydney Eye Hospital.
“Biological vision is what I know best and I have many ideas about how Vision Australia can continue to improve the outcomes for our client,” said Vincent who recently presented a session on visual function, at Vision2014, the 11th International Conference on Low vision, hosted by Vision Australia in Melbourne.
“Quite often clients come to us thinking there is nothing else that can be done. I had a recent example of a lady who had been suffering from double vision. She was tripping over, really struggling. I was able to apply a special filter to her glasses and her sight improved vastly. It is a gratified feeling to be able to help someone like that.”
What is an orthoptist?
An orthoptist is an eye care professional who specialises in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of vision and eye disorders.Meet some Vision Australia Orthoptists
Andy Tao, Coorparoo.
Andy Tao has worked for Vision Australia since he graduated as an orthoptist three years ago. He visited Vision Australia’s facility in Enfield as a student and was inspired to apply for a role. “I have always been interested in allied health and I was very interested to see what orthoptics was all about,” he said.
Andy who works at Vision Australia’s Coorparoo Centre in Queensland says it is the diversity of the role that he most enjoys.
“We see a variety of clients, mostly elderly, but a mix of children and young adults too.”
During a low vision clinic, Andy provides the patient with information about their eye condition. He then guides them through a process designed to help them make the most of their remaining vision. He looks at various techniques such as adjusting lighting, contrast and even posture.
“It can be as simple as hearing clients say ‘Wow, I can see that, I can read that.’ It is very rewarding to help them achieve their goals,” said Andy.
Many people who attend Vision Australia’s low vision clinics have self referred or identify that they have heard of us through word of mouth. “People with even moderate vision loss can benefit from our service,” he said. “There are so many people out there struggling. I’d really like to see more referrals to Vision Australia from optometrists and opthalmologists. We can make a really big difference.”
Vincent Nguyen, Enfield
Looking for a career that could really make a difference in people’s lives, Vincent came to Vision Australia twelve months ago, after working as a vision scientist in an electro diagnostic centre. “I wasn’t getting any feedback about what happened to patients after diagnosis, so I started looking for something else. I wanted to know the outcomes for my clients and learn more about low vision. My ultimate aim is to help people through providing them with a greater understanding of their vision,” Vincent says.
Vision Australia’s centre in Enfield, Sydney runs five low vision clinics a fortnight. There are also regular clinics that run from our Vision Australia’s Caringbah site. In addition, satellite clinics operate at Pennant Hills, Penrith, Campbelltown, Mt Pritchard, Forestville, University of NSW and Sydney Eye Hospital.
“Biological vision is what I know best and I have many ideas about how Vision Australia can continue to improve the outcomes for our client,” said Vincent who recently presented a session on visual function, at Vision2014, the 11th International Conference on Low vision, hosted by Vision Australia in Melbourne.
“Quite often clients come to us thinking there is nothing else that can be done. I had a recent example of a lady who had been suffering from double vision. She was tripping over, really struggling. I was able to apply a special filter to her glasses and her sight improved vastly. It is a gratified feeling to be able to help someone like that.”