In-Home Orthoptics Services in Australia

Vision Rehabilitation and Eye Movement Therapy at Home in Australia

Eye movement disorders, double vision, and binocular vision problems can make everyday tasks exhausting and disorienting. Reading, driving, using a computer, or even walking safely can become difficult. Yet specialist orthoptic care is not widely available in regional areas, and getting to a clinic can be a significant barrier.

MD Home Care connects you with qualified orthoptists in Australia who assess and treat eye movement and binocular vision problems in your home. These university-qualified professionals are members of Orthoptics Australia and bring portable assessment tools directly to you, whether you are recovering from a stroke, managing a congenital eye condition, or dealing with vision changes from neurological disease.

The Right Support is About More Than Just Seeing Double

Are you worried about:

• Double vision affecting safety? Diplopia from stroke, head injury, or neurological conditions makes it hard to judge distances and navigate safely.
• A child’s eyes not working together? Strabismus (crossed eyes) and amblyopia (lazy eye) respond well to treatment but require consistent, specialist input.
• Vision problems after stroke? Stroke can cause a range of visual disturbances including field loss, eye movement problems, and perceptual difficulties that orthoptists are trained to address.
• Accessing specialist care in a rural or outer-suburban area? Orthoptists are less common than optometrists or physiotherapists. A home visit removes the need to travel long distances for this specialist care.

Orthoptists through MD Home Care solve these worries, providing targeted assessment and therapy that makes a real difference to daily function and quality of life.

How In-Home Orthoptics Helps You Regain Visual Function

Australia orthoptists through MD Home Care assess and treat a wide range of conditions affecting how your eyes work together and how they move.

Conditions and Services Covered by In-Home Orthoptics

• Strabismus (eye turn) assessment and management: Measuring the angle of deviation, recommending patching, exercises, or prism lenses, and monitoring progress over time.
• Amblyopia (lazy eye) treatment: Implementing and monitoring evidence-based patching and vision therapy programs for children and adults.
• Binocular vision rehabilitation: Treating convergence insufficiency, divergence excess, and other binocular vision disorders that cause reading difficulties and eye strain.
• Stroke and acquired brain injury vision rehabilitation: Addressing diplopia, visual field deficits, and eye movement disorders following stroke or head trauma.
• Low vision assessment: Working alongside optometrists to evaluate functional vision and recommend aids and compensatory strategies.

Why In-Home Orthoptic Therapy Produces Better Outcomes

Orthoptic exercises and vision therapy programs need to transfer into real-world function. Working in the home environment allows the orthoptist to assess how vision problems affect your actual daily tasks, your reading setup, your computer use, and your navigation of your own space. Therapy goals are grounded in what matters to you rather than what can be tested in a clinical cubicle.

Why Australia Residents Trust Orthoptic Providers Through MD Home Care

Qualified Orthoptists, Properly Credentialled

All orthoptists connected through MD Home Care hold a Bachelor of Orthoptics or equivalent qualification from an accredited Australian university. They are full members of Orthoptics Australia, the peak professional body. While orthoptists are not individually registered through AHPRA, Orthoptics Australia maintains a voluntary national register and professional standards framework. Ask your provider about their credentials when booking.

Paediatric and Adult Expertise

Orthoptic conditions span all ages, from children with strabismus to older adults with stroke-related vision problems. Orthoptists through MD Home Care have experience across this full range, with paediatric-focused practitioners available for younger clients and neurological rehabilitation specialists for post-stroke and acquired brain injury cases.

Integrated with Your Eye Care Team

Orthoptists frequently work alongside ophthalmologists and optometrists as part of a coordinated eye care team. Providers through MD Home Care will communicate findings to your treating specialists and GP, supporting continuity of care across settings.

Making Funding Simple

Providers through MD Home Care are experienced in navigating the funding for in-home orthoptics.

• Support at Home (formerly Home Care Packages): Vision rehabilitation is a legitimate allied health use of Support at Home funds. Orthoptics can be included in your care plan where vision problems affect daily function, falls risk, or independent living. Your package coordinator can arrange and fund visits.
• NDIS Plans: Orthoptics is funded under Capacity Building, Improved Daily Living, where the support relates to a participant’s functional goals. This is particularly relevant for participants with acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy, or other conditions affecting visual function. A functional impact report supports plan inclusions.
• Private Funding and Other Sources: Medicare rebates apply to orthoptic services when billed by an ophthalmologist or under specific Medicare items. Referral pathways vary. Ask your GP or ophthalmologist whether a Medicare-rebated orthoptic referral is available in your situation. DVA card holders may access orthoptic services under DVA arrangements. Private health extras may cover some orthoptic visits depending on your policy.

“After my stroke I had terrible double vision and nobody seemed to know who could help. The orthoptist who came to the house knew exactly what to do. Within a few weeks the double vision had improved significantly. Patricia, Australia“

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an orthoptist and an optometrist? Optometrists conduct general eye examinations, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and detect eye disease. Orthoptists specialise in eye movement disorders, binocular vision problems, and vision rehabilitation following neurological events. Many eye care teams include both. For conditions like double vision, strabismus, or post-stroke visual difficulties, an orthoptist is the most appropriate specialist.

How much does a home orthoptics visit cost in Australia? Costs typically range from $120 to $200 per visit. Medicare rebates may apply in certain referral pathways. NDIS and Support at Home funding can cover costs where the support links to plan goals. Confirm the full fee and any travel charges with the provider when booking.

Does my child need a GP referral before seeing an orthoptist? A GP or ophthalmologist referral is not always required, but it can facilitate Medicare rebates and ensures your child’s broader healthcare team is informed. Some parents contact an orthoptist directly after concerns are raised by a school, paediatrician, or optometrist. MD Home Care can help you work out the best pathway for your child’s situation.

Ready to Address Your Vision Problems at Home?

Speak With a Care Advisor Today For a free, no-obligation chat about your home orthoptics needs.