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Ophthalmic Medical Technicians

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)	Projected Growth (2023-2033)
National Statistics	$44,080	10600	14.1%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$44,080

Median Wage (USD, 2023)

10600

Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)

14.1%

Projected Growth (2023-2033)

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions. May administer eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct the patient in care and use of corrective lenses.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: N.A.

On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

Detailed Work Activities

Administer non-intravenous medications.
Test patient vision.
Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
Instruct patients in the use of assistive equipment.
Monitor patients following surgeries or other treatments.
Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.
Clean medical equipment or facilities.
Test patient vision.
Test patient vision.
Instruct patients in the use of assistive equipment.
Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
Record patient medical histories.
Test patient vision.
Test patient vision.
Measure the physical or physiological attributes of patients.
Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
Record patient medical histories.
Fit eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other vision aids.
Recommend types of assistive devices.
Assist healthcare practitioners during surgery.
Test patient vision.
Test patient vision.
Measure the physical or physiological attributes of patients.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Take and document patients' medical histories.
Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.
Operate ophthalmic equipment, such as autorefractors, phoropters, tomographs, or retinoscopes.
Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements of the eye or surrounding tissue, such as axial length measurements.
Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.
Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision.
Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.
Measure corneal curvature with keratometers or ophthalmometers to aid in the diagnosis of conditions, such as astigmatism.
Conduct ocular motility tests to measure function of eye muscles.
Clean or sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments.
Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment.
Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses.
Assess refractive conditions of eyes, using retinoscopes.
Call patients to inquire about their post-operative status or recovery.
Assist patients to insert or remove contact lenses.
Conduct binocular disparity tests to assess depth perception.
Adjust or make minor repairs to spectacles or eyeglasses.
Assist patients to select eyewear.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

For more information on this career visit: https://explorehealthcareers.org/careers/technologists-and-technicians/ophthalmic-medical-technician/

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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