AOC C.O. case studies
AOC C.O. · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Certified Orthoptist credential is awarded through the American Orthoptic Council (AOC), which describes itself as the certifying body for orthoptists and the organization that sets certification and recertification standards of orthoptic excellence. Orthoptists are described by the AOC as a small profession and a critical part of the eye care team, working alongside ophthalmologists in the evaluation and management of binocular vision and eye movement disorders. The AOC C.O. case studies are 5 cases and about 2,327 words.
1Post-Operative Diplopia After Strabismus Surgery in an Adult
A 34-year-old woman with a long-standing, untreated right esotropia of 28 prism diopters (PD) undergoes bilateral medial rectus recession of 5.0 mm each. Pre-operatively she had no diplopia and demonstrated dense suppression on the Worth 4-dot at near and distance.
525 words, about 3 min2Amblyopia Screening Referral in a School-Age Child
A 7-year-old boy is referred after a school vision screening flagged reduced acuity in the left eye. On your exam: right eye 20/20, left eye 20/40 with a +3.50 DS cycloplegic refraction; no strabismus on cover test; stereoacuity 100 seconds of arc (reduced for age); Worth 4-dot shows fusion at distance.
467 words, about 2 min3Scope of Practice: Orthoptist Asked to Perform a Procedure Outside Training
You are a certified orthoptist working in a busy ophthalmology clinic. The supervising ophthalmologist is running 45 minutes behind and asks you to perform a botulinum toxin injection into the extraocular muscles of a patient with acute sixth nerve palsy, saying 'you've done the measurements, just do the injection, I'll sign off.' You have never performed injections and your certification and institutional privileging do not include intraocular or periocular injection.
449 words, about 2 min4Recertification: Documenting Continuing Education After a Practice Change
A certified orthoptist has been out of clinical practice for 18 months on parental leave and is preparing to return. She needs to meet continuing education and recertification requirements for her certification cycle.
425 words, about 2 min5Intermittent Exotropia: When to Intervene in a Child
A 5-year-old girl presents with intermittent exotropia. Parents report the eye drifts out when she is tired or daydreaming, and she sometimes closes one eye in bright sunlight.
461 words, about 2 min