Orthoptics - Children

Your child may see an Orthoptist if there are concerns regarding:

A turn in one or both of the eyes (squint/strabismus)
Reduced vision in one eye or both eyes (Amblyopia/Lazy Eye)
Wobble in the eyes (nystagmus)
Droopy eye lid (Ptosis)
Focusing problems
An uneven or high glasses prescription

We also routinely assess babies who are premature and/or have low birth weight, as they are more susceptible to vision problems.

You may just see an Orthoptist for your child's appointment, or this may be a joint appointment with the Paediatric Ophthalmologist (Eye Doctor); this may be a longer appointment and can last up to a few hours. Your child may also need eye drops if they are seeing the doctor as well.

Patient Information Leaflets

Your child may be given various treatments depending on the nature of their eye problem, which is unique to every child. These may include:

Eye patches or Eye drops – to improve reduced vision in one eye
Glasses
Exercises to improve focusing of the eyes

We may also refer to the Visual Impairment Team for help and support both at home and in Nursery/School.

See below for Information Leaflets relating to treatment options and diagnoses explanations that include help and guidance.

Patient Information Videos

Ophthalmology Video from UHNM NHS Trust on Vimeo.

School Screening

We offer a School Screening Service, for reception children aged 4-5 who attend schools within the Stoke-on-Trent area. We screen for a number of vision defects including reduced vision, squints or eye movement abnormalities. Your child will be seen by an Orthoptist in school and may be referred to local opticians to check for glasses before seeing an Orthoptist at the hospital or a local community clinic, to monitor their eyes and potentially start treatment.

It is important that we catch eye problems early as vision stops developing around the age of 7-8 years. Spotting conditions early gives a better outcome for treatment.

This includes a Special Schools Service where we routinely visit the special schools within the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire area to provide routine eye tests for children with known eye problems, in their school environment.

Community Opticians

As part of your child’s care they may be referred to an optician for additional tests or a glasses update.

Below is a list of specialised paediatric shared care optometrists. Where possible we will select the optician closest to your area, if you would like to go to a specific practice please contact the Orthoptic Department or let your Orthoptist know.

Blythe Bridge

Gillian Scarisbrick at Gillian E. Scarisbrick Optometrist, 266 Uttoxeter Road, Blythe Bridge, ST11 9LY. Tel: 01782 388355

Biddulph

Stephen Cotton at S.W.Cotton Optometrist, 75 High Street, Biddulph ST8 6AA. Tel: 01782 519956

Congleton

Amy Thompson at L. Thompson Optometrists Ltd. Congleton Eye Care Centre, 5-7 West Street, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 1JN Tel: 01260 270941

Hanley

Tom Brocklebank or Jon Clements at Glyn Jones Opticians, 36 Trinity Street, Hanley ST1 5LA Tel: 01782 212666

Kidsgrove

Stephen Cotton at S.W.Cotton Optometrist , 92 Liverpool Road, Kidsgrove, ST7 4EH. Tel: 01782 782385

Leek

Stewart Townsend at B. Newbold Opticians, 49 St. Edwards St, Leek, Staffordshire ST13 5DN. Tel: 01538 382090

Longton

Neil Horn or Kirsty Greatbatch at Royles ltd Opticians, 77 The Strand, Longton ST3 2NS. Tel: 01782 313693
Steve Collier or Judy Lea at Specsavers 36-38 Market Street, Longton ST3 1BS Tel: 01782 337830

Meir

Irfan Razvi at Razvi Optometrists Ltd, 57-59 Weston Road, Meir, ST3 6AB. Tel: 01782 314673

Newcastle

Peter Harvey or Mandy Sherratt at Specsavers, Unit 9, Castle Walk, Newcastle, ST5 1AN. Tel: 01782 714444
John Stevenson at Stevenson Jones Opticians, 6 Friars Street, Newcastle, ST5 2DZ. Tel: 01782 619175

Stoke

Robert Hanwell at Ernest G Hanwell Ltd., 11 Glebe Street, Stoke, ST4 1HP. Tel: 01782 844105

Tunstall

Robert Hanwell at Ernest G Hanwell Ltd., 8 Tower Square, Tunstall ST6 5AA. Tel: 01782 838710
Kirsty Greatbatch at James Herd Opticians, 59 High Street, Tunstall, ST6 5TA. Tel: 01782 837961

Community Clinics