An orthoptist diagnoses and treats eye movement disorders and visual problems. You work directly with patients, document findings, and collaborate with eye care teams. It requires a bachelor's degree and extensive preparation, but opens a specialized healthcare career.
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Orthoptists assess and treat disorders of eye movement, alignment, and vision. You perform diagnostic tests, record patient information, and communicate findings with supervising physicians and other healthcare professionals. Your work involves active listening to understand patient concerns, critical thinking to solve visual problems, and direct patient care. You stay current with medical knowledge in ophthalmology and understand the psychology of patient care. Much of your day involves getting detailed information from patients, making clinical decisions, and documenting results carefully.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Orthoptists earn a median of $115,210 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is modest. Employment is projected to grow 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, little or no change for all occupations, with about 2,400 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You need a bachelor's degree and extensive preparation in this field. Your education covers English language, medicine and dentistry, biology, and psychology. Strong science skills are essential, along with the ability to learn complex clinical material. You'll develop reading comprehension and writing skills to document patient cases and stay informed about advances in eye care. The path is rigorous and requires commitment to mastering both the science and the hands-on skills of patient assessment and care.
Most orthoptists complete a bachelor's degree followed by specialized clinical training. The timeline and specific program requirements vary, so if you are exploring this path, Pathly can map the orthoptist path that fits you and turn it into a step-by-step plan with your counselor.
You do not need a license to work as an orthoptist, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You are drawn to investigative work that combines scientific thinking with direct patient care. You enjoy solving complex problems, learning medical concepts, and helping others see clearly.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).