What Do Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Do?
Job Description: Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist 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.
List of Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Job Duties
- Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision.
- Take and document patients’ medical histories.
- Measure the thickness of the retinal nerve, using scanning laser polarimetry techniques to aid in diagnosis of glaucoma.
- Measure corneal thickness, using pachymeter or contact ultrasound methods.
- Photograph patients’ eye areas, using clinical photography techniques, to document retinal or corneal defects.
- Perform advanced ophthalmic procedures, including electrophysiological, electrophysical, or microbial procedures.
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What Every Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Should Know
When polled, Ophthalmic Medical Technologists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Related Job Titles
- Retinal Angiographer
- Ophthalmic Surgical Coordinator
- Certified Retinal Angiographer
- Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer and Registered Ophthalmic Ultrasound Biometrist (CDOS and ROUB)
- Ophthalmic Medical Assistant
Is There Going to be Demand for Ophthalmic Medical Technologists?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 127,800 jobs in the United States for Ophthalmic Medical Technologist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 19.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 25,100 new jobs for Ophthalmic Medical Technologist by 2026. There will be an estimated 11,000 positions for Ophthalmic Medical Technologist per year.

The states with the most job growth for Ophthalmic Medical Technologist are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Illinois, Rhode Island, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Salary
Ophthalmic Medical Technologists make between $28,130 and $72,720 a year.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists who work in New Mexico, Alaska, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
How much do Ophthalmic Medical Technologists make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $46,230 |
Alaska | $62,580 |
Arizona | $48,840 |
Arkansas | $42,300 |
California | $50,150 |
Colorado | $46,270 |
Connecticut | $55,450 |
Delaware | $48,900 |
District of Columbia | $54,210 |
Florida | $42,730 |
Georgia | $46,960 |
Hawaii | $54,660 |
Idaho | $48,750 |
Illinois | $47,590 |
Indiana | $49,300 |
Iowa | $42,590 |
Kansas | $49,180 |
Kentucky | $51,780 |
Louisiana | $38,370 |
Maine | $51,500 |
Maryland | $44,590 |
Massachusetts | $55,950 |
Michigan | $45,640 |
Minnesota | $55,940 |
Mississippi | $36,900 |
Missouri | $46,580 |
Montana | $42,630 |
Nebraska | $45,370 |
Nevada | $45,980 |
New Hampshire | $50,390 |
New Jersey | $53,570 |
New Mexico | $60,690 |
New York | $55,700 |
North Carolina | $39,230 |
North Dakota | $46,370 |
Ohio | $42,780 |
Oklahoma | $43,960 |
Oregon | $54,520 |
Pennsylvania | $43,070 |
Rhode Island | $55,490 |
South Carolina | $42,820 |
South Dakota | $54,290 |
Tennessee | $64,010 |
Texas | $43,990 |
Utah | $41,150 |
Vermont | $50,140 |
Virginia | $48,050 |
Washington | $59,950 |
West Virginia | $43,490 |
Wisconsin | $44,080 |
Wyoming | $51,120 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Ophthalmic Medical Technologists:
- Web browser software
- Email software
- AcuityPro
- MediPro Medisoft Clinical
- NaviNet Open
- ezChartWriter
- iChartPlus
- EyeMD EMR
- Medflow Complete
How to Become an Ophthalmic Medical Technologist
What education is needed to be an Ophthalmic Medical Technologist?

How Long Does it Take to Become an Ophthalmic Medical Technologist?

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists Sector

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla via U.S. Air Force photo
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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