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Ophthalmic Medical Technologist

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AVG. SALARY

$40,540

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EDUCATION

1-2 years post-secondary training

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What They Do

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists Career Video

About This Career

Assists ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provides instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assists with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

This career is part of the Health Science cluster Diagnostic Services pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Conducts tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.
  • Takes and documents patients' medical histories.
  • Takes anatomical or functional ocular measurements, such as axial length measurements, of the eye or surrounding tissue.
  • Measures visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.
  • Administers topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
  • Calculates corrections for refractive errors.
  • Measures and records lens power, using lensometers.
  • Collects ophthalmic measurements or other diagnostic information, using ultrasound equipment, such as A-scan ultrasound biometry or B-scan ultrasonography equipment.
  • Performs ophthalmic triage, in the office or by phone, to assess severity of patients' conditions.
  • Cleans or sterilizes ophthalmic or surgical instruments.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
  • Exposed to disease and infections more than once a month through work such as patient care, laboratory work, and sanitation control
  • Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Seeing clearly at a distance
  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Regular working hours and limited travel

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT)
  • Ophthalmic Technologist (Ophthalmic Tech)
  • Surgical Coordinator
  • Ophthalmic Sonographer
  • Registered Ophthalmic Ultrasound Biometrist (ROUB)
  • Ophthalmic Ultrasonographer
  • Ophthalmic Photographer
  • Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS)
  • Ophthalmic Echographer

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

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