Professional Survey

 

Practice of the Profession

Austria
Method of Patient Referral to the Orthoptist All physicians Private Practice yes Salaried 53% in hospitals 41% in private practice of an ophthalmologist 1% under the responsability of the local health organization Salaries Nationally Negotiated in part Hospital(before monthly taxes)approximatively 1700-2300€ Private Practice no information Visual Acuity yes Amblyopia Treatment yes Orthoptic Examination yes Orthoptic Reeducation yes Ocular Motility Examination yes Investigation And Management of Diplopia yes Refraction yes Retinoscopy no Prescription of Glasses no Low-Vision yes Contact Lenses Fitting no		Contact Lenses Management yes Perimetry yes Color Examination Testing yes Dark Adaptation yes Vision Screening yes Geriatrics yes Rehabilitation neurologic and handicapped patients. Fluorescein Angiography no Tonography yes Fundus Photography yes Ultrasonography no Electro Diagnostic Procedures yes Biometry yes Keratometry no Fluorofotometry no Surgical Assistance yes

Belgium
Method of Patient Referral to the Orthoptist The ophthalmologist In screening situations: by other medical doctors Private Practice yes Salaried 50% salaried work in hospitals 50% in the service of an ophthalmologist Few Belgian orthoptists work full time Salaries Nationally Negotiated no Hospital(before monthly taxes)approximatively 1400€ (commencing salary) Private Practice no fixed fee. Generally 12€ for one orthoptic examination Visual Acuity yes Amblyopia Treatment yes Orthoptic Examination yes Orthoptic Reeducation yes Ocular Motility Examination yes Investigation And Management of Diplopia yes Refraction under certain conditions Retinoscopy under certain conditions Prescription of Glasses no Low-Vision yes Contact Lenses Fitting under certain conditions		Contact Lenses Management yes Perimetry yes Color Examination Testing yes Dark Adaptation yes Vision Screening yes Geriatrics yes Rehabilitation yes Fluorescein Angiography under certain conditions Tonography under certain conditions Fundus Photography under certain conditions Ultrasonography under certain conditions Electro Diagnostic Procedures under certain conditions Biometry under certain conditions Keratometry under certain conditions Fluorofotometry under certain conditions Surgical Assistance yes

Denmark
Method of Patient Referral to the Orthoptist All physicians Private Practice no Salaried 1: work in hospital on salary basis 2: work with ophthalmologist selfemployed basis (private nogotiation of salary) 9: work in a hospital and with an ophthalmologist Salaries Nationally Negotiated no Hospital(before monthly taxes)approximatively approxim. 20700 Danish crowns Private Practice With an ophthalmologist individually negotiated salary Visual Acuity yes Amblyopia Treatment yes Orthoptic Examination yes Orthoptic Reeducation yes Ocular Motility Examination yes Investigation And Management of Diplopia yes Refraction yes Retinoscopy yes Prescription of Glasses yes Low-Vision yes Contact Lenses Fitting no		Contact Lenses Management yes Perimetry yes Color Examination Testing yes Dark Adaptation no Vision Screening no Geriatrics no Rehabilitation not specifically Fluorescein Angiography yes Tonography no Fundus Photography yes Ultrasonography yes Electro Diagnostic Procedures no Biometry yes Keratometry yes Fluorofotometry no Surgical Assistance no

France
Method of Patient Referral to the Orthoptist All physicians Private Practice yes 64% 1) in private practice 2) in an ophthalmologist practice. Special contract between parties (SCM) Salaried 36% salaried work in State hospitals, in ophthalmologist practices and other structures (legislation on Labour and Social Security) Salaries Nationally Negotiated yes Hospital(before monthly taxes)approximatively orthoptist: 1363,32 - 2332,41€ head orthoptist: 1741,72 - 2934,85€ Private Practice Fixed fees (Nomenclature) negociated regularly Visual Acuity yes Amblyopia Treatment yes Orthoptic Examination yes Orthoptic Reeducation yes Ocular Motility Examination yes Investigation And Management of Diplopia yes Refraction yes. Assessment of objective visual acuity in the context of an orthoptic examination Retinoscopy yes only in hospital Prescription of Glasses no Low-Vision yes Contact Lenses Fitting no		Contact Lenses Management no Perimetry yes Color Examination Testing yes Dark Adaptation yes Vision Screening yes Geriatrics yes Rehabilitation yes Fluorescein Angiography no Tonography no Fundus Photography no Ultrasonography no Electro Diagnostic Procedures yes under certain conditions Biometry no Keratometry no Fluorofotometry no Surgical Assistance no

Germany
Method of Patient Referral to the Orthoptist All physicians Private Practice yes very seldom Salaried 80% work in private practice of an ophthalmologist 20% in state hospitals Salaries Nationally Negotiated yes Hospital(before monthly taxes)approximatively 1200-3000€ Private Practice 1200-4000€ In private practice no fixed fee, reimbursement is subject of an individual decision. The majority of orthoptists work for several ophthalmologists Visual Acuity yes Amblyopia Treatment yes Orthoptic Examination yes Orthoptic Reeducation yes Ocular Motility Examination yes Investigation And Management of Diplopia yes Refraction yes Retinoscopy no Prescription of Glasses no Low-Vision yes Contact Lenses Fitting yes		Contact Lenses Management yes Perimetry yes Color Examination Testing yes Dark Adaptation yes Vision Screening yes Geriatrics yes Rehabilitation neurologic and handicapped patients Fluorescein Angiography no Tonography yes Fundus Photography yes Ultrasonography yes Electro Diagnostic Procedures yes Biometry yes Keratometry yes Fluorofotometry no Surgical Assistance yes

Ireland
Method of Patient Referral to the Orthoptist Registered Medical Practioner but generally ophthalmologist Private Practice yes Salaried 95% hospital based 5% private practice and part time hospital Salaries Nationally Negotiated yes Hospital(before monthly taxes)approximatively no information Private Practice no information Visual Acuity yes Amblyopia Treatment yes Orthoptic Examination yes Orthoptic Reeducation yes Ocular Motility Examination yes Investigation And Management of Diplopia yes Refraction yes Retinoscopy yes Prescription of Glasses no Low-Vision no Contact Lenses Fitting no		Contact Lenses Management yes patients with motility problems Perimetry yes Color Examination Testing yes Dark Adaptation yes Vision Screening yes, in conjunction with ophthalmologist Geriatrics --- Rehabilitation --- Fluorescein Angiography --- Tonography --- Fundus Photography --- Ultrasonography --- Electro Diagnostic Procedures --- Biometry --- Keratometry --- Fluorofotometry --- Surgical Assistance ---

Italy
Method of Patient Referral to the Orthoptist All physicians, but generally by ophthalmologists Private Practice yes 25% free wages, patients are reimbursed by the insurance Salaried 75% salaried work in hospitals Salaries Nationally Negotiated yes Hospital(before monthly taxes)approximatively 1000€ Private Practice no fixed fee Visual Acuity yes Amblyopia Treatment yes Orthoptic Examination yes Orthoptic Reeducation yes Ocular Motility Examination yes Investigation And Management of Diplopia yes Refraction no Retinoscopy no Prescription of Glasses no Low-Vision yes Contact Lenses Fitting yes		Contact Lenses Management yes Perimetry yes Color Examination Testing yes Dark Adaptation yes Vision Screening yes Geriatrics yes Rehabilitation yes Fluorescein Angiography yes Tonography yes Fundus Photography yes Ultrasonography yes Electro Diagnostic Procedures yes Biometry yes Keratometry yes Fluorofotometry yes Surgical Assistance yes

Luxemburg
Method of Patient Referral to the Orthoptist All physicians Private Practice no Salaried Salaried 64% public sector 7: 36% with ophthalmologist Salaries Nationally Negotiated yes Hospital(before monthly taxes)approximatively 3724€ Private Practice no Visual Acuity yes Amblyopia Treatment yes Orthoptic Examination yes Orthoptic Reeducation yes Ocular Motility Examination yes Investigation And Management of Diplopia yes Refraction yes under certain conditions Retinoscopy no Prescription of Glasses no Low-Vision yes Contact Lenses Fitting no		Contact Lenses Management no Perimetry yes Color Examination Testing yes Dark Adaptation yes Vision Screening yes Geriatrics yes Rehabilitation yes Fluorescein Angiography no Tonography no Fundus Photography no Ultrasonography no Electro Diagnostic Procedures no Biometry no Keratometry no Fluorofotometry no Surgical Assistance no

Netherlands
Method of Patient Referral to the Orthoptist By ophthalmologists By general practitioners Private Practice yes, very seldom Salaried 70% salaried working in hospitals. 30% in service of ophthalmologist (salaried) Salaries Nationally Negotiated yes Hospital(before monthly taxes)approximatively 1850 - 2850 € Private Practice No information Visual Acuity yes Amblyopia Treatment yes Orthoptic Examination yes Orthoptic Reeducation yes Ocular Motility Examination yes Investigation And Management of Diplopia yes Refraction yes Retinoscopy yes Prescription of Glasses yes Low-Vision yes Contact Lenses Fitting yes		Contact Lenses Management yes Perimetry yes Color Examination Testing yes under certain conditions Dark Adaptation yes rarely requested Vision Screening yes Geriatrics yes Rehabilitation yes Fluorescein Angiography yes Tonography yes Fundus Photography yes Ultrasonography yes Electro Diagnostic Procedures yes Biometry yes Keratometry yes Fluorofotometry yes Surgical Assistance yes

Norway
Method of Patient Referral to the Orthoptist By an ophthalmologist Private Practice yes Salaried 50% salaried working in hospitals 50% private practice Salaries Nationally Negotiated no Hospital(before monthly taxes)approximatively NOK 22.000 - 25.000 Private Practice No fixed fee. Partial reimbursement by National Health Service. Visual Acuity yes Amblyopia Treatment yes Orthoptic Examination yes Orthoptic Reeducation yes Ocular Motility Examination yes Investigation And Management of Diplopia yes Refraction yes Retinoscopy no Prescription of Glasses no Low-Vision no Contact Lenses Fitting no		Contact Lenses Management no Perimetry yes Color Examination Testing yes Dark Adaptation no Vision Screening In conjunction with ophthalmologist Geriatrics Not specifically Rehabilitation Not specifically Fluorescein Angiography no Tonography yes Fundus Photography yes Ultrasonography no Electro Diagnostic Procedures no Biometry no Keratometry no Fluorofotometry no Surgical Assistance no

Portugal
Method of Patient Referral to the Orthoptist All physicians, but generally the ophthalmologists Private Practice yes. 2% exclusively private. Salaried 98% hospital of whom: 50% full time in hospital and additional private Salaries Nationally Negotiated yes only in public sector Hospital(before monthly taxes)approximatively public sector: 922,13 - 2062,67 € Private Practice no fixed fee Visual Acuity yes Amblyopia Treatment yes Orthoptic Examination yes Orthoptic Reeducation yes Ocular Motility Examination yes Investigation And Management of Diplopia yes Refraction yes under certain conditions Retinoscopy no Prescription of Glasses no Low-Vision yes Contact Lenses Fitting yes		Contact Lenses Management yes Perimetry yes Color Examination Testing yes Dark Adaptation yes Vision Screening yes Geriatrics yes Rehabilitation yes Fluorescein Angiography yes Tonography yes Fundus Photography yes Ultrasonography no Electro Diagnostic Procedures yes Biometry yes Keratometry yes Fluorofotometry yes Surgical Assistance no

Sweden
Method of Patient Referral to the Orthoptist All physicians, opticians Private Practice 2% in private practice. Salaried 98% working in hospital 19/11/2004 Salaries Nationally Negotiated yes Hospital(before monthly taxes)approximatively 15000 Kronor Private Practice no fixed fee Visual Acuity yes Amblyopia Treatment yes Orthoptic Examination yes Orthoptic Reeducation yes Ocular Motility Examination yes Investigation And Management of Diplopia yes Refraction yes Retinoscopy yes Prescription of Glasses no Low-Vision yes partly Contact Lenses Fitting yes		Contact Lenses Management yes Perimetry yes Color Examination Testing yes Dark Adaptation yes Vision Screening yes Geriatrics yes Rehabilitation neurologic and handicapped patients Fluorescein Angiography yes Tonography yes Fundus Photography yes Ultrasonography yes Electro Diagnostic Procedures yes Biometry no Keratometry yes Fluorofotometry yes Surgical Assistance yes

United Kingdom
Method of Patient Referral to the Orthoptist Registered Medical Practioner but also through open referral Private Practice +/- 1% Part time hospital and part time private practice. Free wages, no fixed fee for private insurance Salaried 99% National Health Service with nationally negotiated salaries. Salaries Nationally Negotiated yes Hospital(before monthly taxes)approximatively £: 958 - 2062 Private Practice 1) when you handle your own finances: no fixed fee, £10 - 45 for one consultation: 2) in service of an ophthalmologist: on weekly agreement. Visual Acuity yes Amblyopia Treatment yes Orthoptic Examination yes Orthoptic Reeducation yes Ocular Motility Examination yes Investigation And Management of Diplopia yes Refraction yes Retinoscopy yes Prescription of Glasses no Low-Vision yes Contact Lenses Fitting no		Contact Lenses Management yes Perimetry yes Color Examination Testing yes Dark Adaptation yes Vision Screening yes Geriatrics yes Rehabilitation yes Fluorescein Angiography yes Tonography yes Fundus Photography yes Ultrasonography yes Electro Diagnostic Procedures yes Biometry yes Keratometry yes Fluorofotometry no Surgical Assistance no