Orthoptistes de la Communauté Européenne /Orthoptists of the European Union (OCE) and International Orthoptic Association (IOA) Code of Ethics Approved June 2025

Definition

The Orthoptic Code of Ethics describes the ethical standards expected from Orthoptists globally. The Code promotes, enhances and enables ethical practice based on trust, transparency and respect across the global profession of Orthoptics. The Code guides decision making and approaches, ensuring integrity and professionalism. Orthoptists are encouraged to reflect from time to time to ensure that they are complying with the Code. This Code of Ethics can be used to guide the development of a Code of Conduct within individual countries.

Code of Ethics 

Orthoptists must:

• possess qualifications recognized by the appropriate authority.
• follow the law and respect the principles defined by the authorities.
• be aware of their professional and personal ethics, know their limits and behave in accordance with the responsibilities of their profession.
• protect the well-being, human dignity and self-determination of the patients and people they care for.
• provide care without bias or prejudice based on any factor, such as race, religion or sexual orientation.
• ensure fair and equitable access to healthcare services and resources for all patients, regardless of their background or circumstances.  

• work in partnership with patients and people to ensure shared decision-making and mutual respect. 
• cooperate with each other and with other people in the health and social sector for the benefit of the patients and people they care for. 
• ensure continuity of care for the patients and people they care for.
• ensure compliance with their professional obligations, in particular confidentiality, documentation and information.
• participate in lifelong learning and apply the latest scientific standards relevant to their qualifications and expertise.
• when participating in research, do so with high professional and ethical standards and protect the personal rights of the research participants.
• use media sharing networks and social networking sites responsibly by maintaining professional boundaries at all times and protecting service user/carer privacy.
• use emerging technologies, including AI, responsibly and ensure that such tools do not compromise patient care, privacy, or autonomy.
• protect the orthoptic profession by not teaching orthoptic procedures to people who would be deemed unsuitable/ unsafe.
• not allow their professional judgement, their behavior or their treatment of the                patient be influenced by gifts, financial interests or professional advancement.
• consider the environmental impact of their practice and strive to use resources responsibly.
• take good care of their own health and safety and seek help if needed.