Orthoptic Clinic
Paediatric Clinic
A child can be referred to the children’s eye service by their GP, Optician, and School Nurse or by the Orthoptic Visual Screening clinics (held at health centres).
The paediatric clinics take place every Monday and Tuesday afternoon and alternate Monday and Wednesday mornings. The children are seen first by the orthoptist who will take a medical history and then carry out a detailed eye examination. This will involve a vision test followed by several other tests to assess the position of the eye, the ocular motility and the state of binocular function (do the eyes work together). The orthoptist may then put a drop in each eye, which will dilate the pupils (increase the pupil size). The dilating drops prevent the pupils from constricting when a light is shone into the eye and also stops the child from focusing for close work, which enables the Doctor to perform his/her tests. The drops can take up to 20 minutes to work.
Once the pupils are dilated your child will then be taken through to see Mr Puvanachandra or one of his team of Doctors. The Doctor will start by asking some more questions, and will use the orthoptic report to decide which tests need to be performed on your child. Most of these tests involve shining a bright light into your child’s eyes and may involve the use of lenses to focus the light. From these tests the Doctor will be able to discuss the likely causes of the problem, and the likely treatment. If your child requires glasses the Doctor will give you a white form to take to your optician.
The joint orthoptic and consultant appointments can take up to 2 hours however review appointments with the orthoptist only (no drops) may only take 20-30mins.
Patient Leaflets:
- My child needs glasses
- Amblyopia (lazy eye)
- Strabismus (squint)
Ocular Motility Clinic
An adult can be referred to the ocular motility clinic from their GP and Optician.
The clinic takes place alternate Friday mornings and patients will be seen first by an orthoptist who will take a medical history and then carry out a detailed eye examination. This may involve fitting prisms to glasses to alleviate double vision (diplopia). The patient will then be seen by Mr Puvanachandra who will start by asking more questions and will use the orthoptic report to decide which tests need to be performed. On some occasions drops are required to dilate (enlarge) the pupils in order for the Consultant to carry out certain tests. This can make vision blurry for several hours so you should not plan to drive home afterwards.
Adults may be given a pre-assessment appointment for the orthoptist up to a few weeks prior to the ophthalmology appointment.
Patient leaflets:
- Diplopia (double vision)
- Field Defect (Homonymous Hemianopia)
We also provide an orthoptic service for the following:
• Paediatric Clinic at Cromer Hospital
Led by Mr Puvanachandra and Deputy Head Orthoptist Tracey Salisbury
• Visual Impairment Clinic
Orthoptist will liaise with the paediatrician, paediatric ophthalmologist and sensory support to ensure the family are supported and have access to the services they require.
• Visual Screening
Visual screening is carried out by School Nurses who are trained by orthoptists. Referrals then come direct to the Paediatric clinic.
• Visual Screening service for Down’s Syndrome
All children will be assessed between 18 and 24 months any problems found will result in referral to the paediatric eye clinic. Children who pass the assessment will be followed up again at 4 ½ years of age.
• Visual Screening and Paediatric Clinics at five special schools around Norfolk
An orthoptist will assess first then refer to the ophthalmologist if any problems found and all of which will be carried out at the school during term time.
• Stroke Service
• Neurology
Orthoptists also perform Goldmann Visual Fields at the request of the ophthalmologists and consultants from other departments. Goldmann Driving Fields are also carried out at the request of the DVLA.
Opening Times:
| Monday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 – 14:00 |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
See a map of the hospital and car parks.
See details of how to get to the hospital by car.
Contact
Orthoptic Clinic Tel; 01603 288046