Orthoptics and Orthoptists: The War Years 1939 – 1945

Shayne Brown MAppSc BA DipAppSc FOA

Department of History, University of Sydney, Australia

Accurate depth perception was necessary for Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilots during World War II (WWII) to land aircraft safely without the aid of instruments. In the inter-war period aviation ophthalmologists had identified a relationship between heterophorias and inaccurate stereopsis. As a result, the ocular motility standards for trainee aircrew in WWII were strict and failure to meet the standards could result in rejection for flying duties. Orthoptists were called on to test trainees’ ocular motility status and, in borderline cases, provide treatment. By 1939 there were fewer than 20 qualified orthoptists in Australia. This small number was unable to meet the needs of the RAAF while also serving the civilian population. Consequently in 1940 the RAAF Air Board decreed that a small number of RAAF Nursing Service (RAAFNS) and Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) personnel would receive basic orthoptic training to fill the gap. An unknown number of these Service women delivered orthoptic treatment to trainee aircrew, under the supervision of ophthalmologists and orthoptists. Little is known about the orthoptists’ role with the RAAF. Even less is known about the role of the RAAFNSs and WAAAFs. This paper discusses the qualified civilian orthoptists, and their military counterparts, who have come to light so far in my research. I also discuss their work. I argue that the orthoptists’ contribution and the place of orthoptics in aviation medicine, in particular the management of heterophorias, was the springboard for the growth of orthoptics in the post-war period.