What Do Ophthalmic Medical Technician Do?
Career Description 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.
Life As an Ophthalmic Medical Technician: What Do They Do?
- Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision.
- Assist patients to insert or remove contact lenses.
- Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.
- Measure corneal curvature with keratometers or ophthalmometers to aid in the diagnosis of conditions, such as astigmatism.
- Operate ophthalmic equipment, such as autorefractors, phoropters, tomographs, or retinoscopes.
- Assist patients to select eyewear.
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Ophthalmic Medical Technician Required Skills
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Types of Ophthalmic Medical Technician
- Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technician
- Ophthalmology Technician
- Certified Ophthalmic Technician
- Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
- Ophthalmic Aide
Is There Job Demand for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians?
There were about 44,500 jobs for Ophthalmic Medical Technician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 19.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 8,700 new jobs for Ophthalmic Medical Technician by 2026. There will be an estimated 4,600 positions for Ophthalmic Medical Technician per year.

The states with the most job growth for Ophthalmic Medical Technician are Arizona, Utah, and Maryland. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, South Dakota, or Rhode Island. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Salary
The average yearly salary of an Ophthalmic Medical Technician ranges between $24,770 and $54,830.

Ophthalmic Medical Technicians who work in Minnesota, Massachusetts, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Ophthalmic Medical Technicians make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $36,500 |
Alaska | $46,770 |
Arizona | $40,450 |
Arkansas | $31,910 |
California | $41,890 |
Colorado | $38,030 |
Connecticut | $42,930 |
Delaware | $35,940 |
District of Columbia | $50,290 |
Florida | $36,750 |
Georgia | $35,120 |
Hawaii | $37,770 |
Idaho | $28,800 |
Illinois | $38,180 |
Indiana | $35,970 |
Iowa | $36,080 |
Kansas | $33,710 |
Kentucky | $33,640 |
Louisiana | $37,590 |
Maine | $38,180 |
Maryland | $42,510 |
Massachusetts | $48,300 |
Michigan | $37,400 |
Minnesota | $50,700 |
Mississippi | $31,020 |
Missouri | $35,400 |
Montana | $33,970 |
Nebraska | $36,840 |
Nevada | $36,030 |
New Hampshire | $42,630 |
New Jersey | $45,420 |
New Mexico | $36,290 |
New York | $34,870 |
North Carolina | $36,030 |
North Dakota | $37,520 |
Ohio | $37,590 |
Oklahoma | $34,810 |
Oregon | $42,170 |
Pennsylvania | $36,770 |
Rhode Island | $38,230 |
South Carolina | $37,310 |
South Dakota | $36,150 |
Tennessee | $36,340 |
Texas | $33,290 |
Utah | $33,840 |
Vermont | $42,610 |
Virginia | $41,340 |
Washington | $44,050 |
West Virginia | $33,360 |
Wisconsin | $40,310 |
What Tools & Technology do Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Ophthalmic Medical Technicians may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Email software
- EyeMD EMR
- MediPro Medisoft Clinical
- NaviNet Open
- ezChartWriter
- iChartPlus
- AcuityPro
- Medflow Complete
How do I Become an Ophthalmic Medical Technician?
Individuals working as an Ophthalmic Medical Technician have obtained the following education levels:

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

Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Sector

Ophthalmic Medical Technicians work in the following industries:

References:
Image Credit: Robert Barnett via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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