Judy Higgins, CO, COT is one of the board-certified orthoptist working with Children’s Eye Care’s pediatric ophthalmologists to diagnose and treat pediatric and adult patients with amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (crossed eyes, misaligned eyes) and diplopia (double vision). After finishing his Bachelor’s Degree at Wayne State University, she went onto to successfully complete Kresge Eye Institute’s Orthoptic Fellowship training program. In 1986, she passed her written and oral boards to become a board certified orthoptist. She also won the 1986 Richard G. Scobee Memorial Award. This national recognition is given to the orthoptist, and training program, who received the highest written and oral scores on that year’s board certification.
Judy is the past program director for Children’s Eye Care Orthoptic Training Program and member of the Department of Ophthalmology at Children’s Eye Care. For decades she’s been an accomplished and dedicated educator helping to train and mentor future ophthalmologists, pediatric ophthalmologists, orthoptists and ophthalmic technicians. During her career, she won all three significant accomplishments in the field of orthoptics – the 1986 Richard G. Scobee Memorial Award and 2007 Lancaster Award and was the 2016 Scobee Memorial Lecturer. However, she’s most proud of training Martha, Nina, Stephen, Lauren and Katrina in Children’s Eye Care’s Orthoptic Program, and continuing to watch them grow into incredibly skilled and knowledgeable peers. She would love nothing more than to see more people know about the incredible field of orthoptics. Judy is a member of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and American Associated of Certified Orthoptists.
Orthoptics is an ancillary field within ophthalmology pertaining to the evaluation of disorders of the visual system, with an emphasis on binocular (two-eyed) vision. Orthoptists are board-certified by the American Orthoptic Council after the successful completion of a two-year clinical orthoptic program and a previous baccalaureate degree.
The successful evaluation of children requires patience in a playful, gentle atmosphere. Orthoptists are specialists in evaluating vision of children of all ages and abilities, as well as adults with eye misalignment and double vision and are uniquely skilled in specialized diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.
“Orthoptics” is an ancillary field within ophthalmology pertaining to the evaluation of disorders of the visual system, with an emphasis on binocular (two-eyed) vision. They are board-certified by the American Orthoptic Council after the successful completion of a two-year clinical orthoptic program and a prior baccalaureate degree.
The successful evaluation of children requires patience in a playful, gentle atmosphere. Orthoptists are specialists in evaluating vision of children of all ages and abilities, as well as adults with eye misalignment and double vision and are uniquely skilled in specialized diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.
In addition to staffing our offices, Judy participates in the clinical education of orthoptists, ophthalmology residents and fellow at Children’s as well as contribute to clinical research in the study of ocular motility.
Bachelor’s Degree
Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Orthoptic Fellowship
Wayne State University, Kresge Eye Institute, Detroit, MI
Post-Graduate Training
Certified Ophthalmic Technologist, JCAHPO
Certified Orthoptist
American Orthoptic Council