Nina Apple, CO, COT

Nina Apple, CO, COT is a Certified Orthoptist at Children’s Eye Care of Michigan with extensive experience in pediatric and adult strabismus, amblyopia, and specialized testing of vision, eye alignment, and eye movements.

Nina has worked in pediatric ophthalmology and orthoptics for more than a decade, with experience at Children’s Eye Care, Boston Children’s Hospital, and the Eye Center of Northern Colorado. She also has a strong background in clinical education and ophthalmic technician training.

Nina earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development from Central Michigan University before completing her orthoptic training at Children’s Eye Care. She returned to the practice in 2023 after seven years in Colorado. 

Orthoptic Expertise

• Pediatric Strabismus Testing — specialized measurement of eye alignment and eye movements in infants, children, and adolescents
• Adult Strabismus Testing — detailed sensorimotor testing for adults with eye misalignment
• Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) Testing & Follow-Up — visual acuity and alignment testing as part of physician-directed care
• Sensorimotor Examinations — detailed measurements of ocular alignment, motility, and binocular function
• Infant & Pediatric Vision Testing — age-appropriate methods for measuring vision in babies and young children
• Patient & Parent Education — helping patients and families understand testing and physician-directed treatment plans
• Aphakic Contact Lens Education & Training — working closely with families of infants and children with aphakia to teach contact lens insertion and removal, contact lens care, and the physician-directed amblyopia treatment that is often an important part of their visual rehabilitation

The Role of an Orthoptist

Certified Orthoptists are highly trained eye care professionals who specialize in the evaluation of eye alignment, eye movements, and binocular vision. At Children’s Eye Care, our orthoptists work closely with pediatric ophthalmologists and adult strabismus specialists, performing specialized testing that helps physicians diagnose and manage conditions such as strabismus (eye misalignment) and amblyopia (lazy eye).

Orthoptists are especially skilled at evaluating infants and young children, using age-appropriate techniques to measure vision and eye alignment even when a child is too young to read an eye chart or describe what they see.

This collaborative approach is an important part of the specialized pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus care provided at Children’s Eye Care.

Experience & Orthoptic Training

Nina began working at Children’s Eye Care of Michigan in 2011 and completed the practice’s Certified Orthoptic Program from 2013 to 2015, receiving the ScoBee Award during her orthoptic training.

After completing her training, Nina joined Boston Children’s Hospital as a staff orthoptist. She worked across five locations with more than 20 pediatric physicians.

From 2016 to 2023, Nina worked at the Eye Center of Northern Colorado in a high-volume pediatric ophthalmology practice. As Senior Orthoptist, she also assisted with clinical template development and analysis. She served as Clinical Coordinator of Technician Training, providing both didactic education and hands-on skills training.

At Children’s Eye Care, Nina leads family education and training for new pediatric patients who require aphakic contact lenses. She works one-on-one with parents and caregivers to teach contact lens insertion and removal, lens handling and care, and helps families get started with the physician-directed amblyopia treatment that may accompany their child’s aphakia care. Her role gives families hands-on instruction and support as they learn to manage a new and often unfamiliar part of their child’s vision care.

Nina returned to Children’s Eye Care in 2023, bringing her broad clinical, teaching, and leadership experience back to the practice.

Nina’s Approach to Orthoptics

Nina describes every patient as a puzzle. Her goal is to carefully gather the measurements and information the ophthalmologist needs to put those pieces together.

She especially enjoys the interaction with patients and parents and the challenge of finding the best way to obtain accurate information from each individual patient. Her background in early childhood development gives her an additional understanding of how children learn, communicate, and respond at different developmental stages.