Jenny Earl is an children’s advanced orthoptist at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, she joined the Newcastle Hospitals team after studying orthoptics at the University of Liverpool.
Jenny who always wore glasses as a child had looked into being an optician before she found the orthoptist side – which is more hospital based. She works with children with lazy eyes, squints and children with a premature or congenital eye problems.
In episode three Jenny meets six-year-old AJ before he has surgery to correct a squint.
What made you get into this area of work?
I had an interest in working in healthcare and with children from a young age as I was a lifeguard and taught swimming to children before I went to study Orthoptics at the University of Liverpool.
I found this area of healthcare interesting, learning about how the brain and eyes work together in being able to see and interpret the visual world and the different conditions that can affect this.
What is your favourite part of your work?
I enjoy working as part of a big healthcare team and with a range of different patients from babies and children with congenital eye problems to adults and elderly patients with acquired or age-related vision problems.
What would you say to someone who is interested in progressing a similar career?
It is a very rewarding career as you are able to make a difference to the quality of life of your patients and get to work with a range of different patients. It is a very varied job not every day is the same and there are different areas you can progress into within the profession.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I am currently learning Spanish. I like to keep active, I play for a tennis team and enjoy swimming.
How was the filming?
The filming was quite fun although it felt different to be watched and questioned on my everyday job, but all the film crew were very welcoming and reassuring.
How to you feel about being part of the series?
I am excited to be part of the new series as orthoptics is a small profession and I hope it will highlight our role and input into patients care and treatment.
