Why are we making this course?

King’s College Hospital Optical Services is an innovative department with many passionate Orthoptists with impressive careers. We wanted to create an accessible course that represented the profession as much as possible. We reached out to inspirational Orthoptists, experts and organisations from all areas of the field who have kindly supported us by being involved in this project.

Orthoptics is an Allied Health Profession which is in demand world-wide, so it is important to promote it and provide accessible knowledge for prospective students. The National Health Service in the UK has a shortage of Orthoptists. Our Government considers it a specialist subject in demand, so eligible students currently receive £6,000 every year of study via the NHS Learning Support Fund.

Post-Graduate Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) courses have recently been developed. This allows Orthoptists to take on some traditional roles of a specialist ophthalmologist, making the career an appealing alternative to medicine.

Following recent substantial funding towards King’s Ophthalmology department, we have an extensive program to develop 7 Orthoptists and Optometrists into Advanced Clinical Practitioners, delivering highly specialised care across many ophthalmology specialities. This is an exciting workforce development, overseen by Health Education England, to relieve demand and build capacity within Ophthalmology.

This course will cover interesting topics such as eye anatomy, eye movement, and conditions Orthoptists investigate, as well as orthoptic clinical skills. You will also get the chance to meet and learn from the team at King’s, as well as many accomplished Orthoptists around the United Kingdom.

We appreciate your interest and hope this course inspires you.