Providing high-quality, evidence-based care
Our mission is to provide high-quality, evidence-based Orthoptic care; tailored for each individual to provide the best experience and visual outcome possible.
What is an Orthoptist?
Orthoptists are the experts in diagnosing and treating defects in eye movement and problems with how the eyes work together, called binocular vision. These can be caused by issues with the muscles around the eyes or defects in the nerves enabling the brain to communicate with the eyes.
They see patients with a wide range of conditions affecting their vision. They are trained to offer a range of treatments, including eye patches, eye exercises, prisms or glasses. They also commonly work with patients with neurological conditions, such as stroke, brain tumours or multiple sclerosis. They are specialists in assessing vision in children and those with communication difficulties.
Meet the team
Helen is the Deputy Head Orthoptist and lead for Orthoptic and Optometry services for the North of the Trust. She is also a highly specialist Orthoptist and the lead for the Low Vision Service within the eye clinic.
Helen graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2000 and has since completed post graduate qualifications in Human Visual Field Evaluation from Liverpool University and Low Vision and Medical exemptions for Orthoptists giving her a Post Graduate Certificate in Vision and Strabismus from the University of Sheffield. Helen also holds an adult teaching qualification and is a clinical tutor for Orthoptic and Optometry students. She has worked at many hospitals in the North East and was previously the Lead Stroke Specialist Orthoptist here at the Trust.
Helen is currently working towards a Master’s degree in leadership and management in healthcare at Teesside University. She works at all hospital sites across County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and sees both adults and children for low vision support and for general Orthoptics. Helen particularly loves to win over children who do not want to join in with their eye test!
Mark is a Highly Specialist Orthoptist and lead for Orthoptic stroke services for the Trust. He graduated from the University of Liverpool in 1997 and has since completed post graduate qualifications in Leadership, Orthoptics, teaching qualification and a medical exemption qualification. He has worked at several hospitals in the North East and was previously a deputy Head Orthoptist at a Neighbouring Trust.
Mark is currently working on a service redevelopment for the stroke service. He works at all hospital sites across County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust seeing both adults and children for stroke and general Orthoptics.
Gail graduated from the Orthoptic training school at Moorfields Eye Hospital City Road London in 1992, where she then created a vision screening service in London leading this till 1995. She moved to the North East gaining additional experience across the region at Royal Victoria Infirmary and South Tees Trust. In 1998 she took up the management role and has led the Orthoptic services in the Trust since that date.
Gail has extensive experience of specialist Multi-disciplinary professional Teams in Eye movement disorders, Child Development centres, specialist clinics in Thyroid eye disease, Botulinum toxin and adjustable surgery for strabismus. She currently works across the Trust seeing children and adults with vision and eye movement disorders.
Kerry graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University as an Orthoptist in 1998. Since July 2001 she's worked in this trusts team with Consultant Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and the extended Ophthalmic team including photographers and eye clinic liaison officer, where she sees adults and children of any age and ability.
Kerry has furthered her career by becoming a clinical tutor supporting other healthcare professionals including doctors and also the upcoming Orthoptists and gained a Post Graduate certificate in Vision and Strabismus from Sheffield University with modules in ‘insights into diseases’ and also ‘stroke’. Her specialist interests are in neurological adult conditions, reading and close work difficulties and also eye problems following stroke. Kerry is passionate about patient welfare aiming to not only review patient’s eye health but also include general health and wellbeing, making sure that everyone feels understood and supported.
Her favourite day is when she has a giggle with a patient - whether that is making a connection with a child who tells her about their pet goldfish or when she makes a positive impact on a patient, their family member/support then seeing them leave with a smile!
Claire is a senior Orthoptist who has been working at CDDFT since 2017. She graduated from the University of Sheffield with a BMedSci in Orthoptics. After settling into her role, she decided to further her education by completing master modules in 'Medical Exemptions for Orthoptists' and 'Insight into disease' giving her a Post Graduate Certificate in Vision and Strabismus from the University of Sheffield. Claire is currently working towards a low vision and an Edward Jenner Leadership qualification.
You will mainly see Claire running general Orthoptist and screening clinics at Darlington Memorial Hospital; however, she has worked at other sites across CDDFT over the years and has had huge involvement in optometry and consultant dual clinics. Claire loves diagnosing, managing and treating patients and in particular enjoys seeing new cases of double vision from our urgent care service.
Prior to becoming an Orthoptist, Eleanor gained a first class Illustration BA (Hons) degree and was awarded a prize from the Charted Society of Designers for her work. She also has 6 years of experience working within the general optical services in the community. Becoming a senior optical dispenser for all ages and gaining a broad experience of different diagnostic examination tests for patients having a glasses test. She also has lots of experience in the way glasses are dispensed from the NHS in the community.
Eleanor graduated from the University of Sheffield with a first class degree in Orthoptics B.Med.Sci (Hons) and was awarded both the Kays Picture Prize for student of the year and the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers Charity Prize. Additionally, she completed her medical exemptions during her Orthoptics degree and is able to supply certain prescription only medicines. Eleanor loves being an orthoptist and enjoys the variety of patients the team see, varying in ages and conditions; no day is the same.
Sophie is a Specialist Orthoptist and has been part of the team at CDDFT since she qualified from the University of Sheffield in 2017 with a first class honours degree in Orthoptics B.Med.Sci (Hons). She's also proud to be the Lead Clinical Tutor for the north of the Trust, helping to support and train future Orthoptists. In her role, she cares for a wide range of patients across all ages and abilities.
Sophie also sees patients who have developed a visual problem following a stroke, providing assessments on the ward and in clinic, as well as giving support and advice. She has a particular interest in working with children who have special educational needs, ensuring they receive tailored and high-quality care. To continue improving the care she provides, Sophie completed postgraduate masters modules in Medical Exemptions and Stroke, as well as the Aspirant Leaders course at Teesside University. She's also worked with the University of Sheffield on research, publishing a paper about how acquired nystagmus (also known as “wobbly eyes”) affects vision.