Occupation · SOC 29-2057
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
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.
Median wage
$44,080
$34,210–$60,810
Projected growth
+19.8%
Faster than average
Annual openings
1,560
per year
Employed (US)
76,520
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
11 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningSpeakingWritingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationReading ComprehensionMonitoringCritical ThinkingCoordinationActive LearningJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementLearning StrategiesInstructingComplex Problem SolvingMathematicsQuality Control AnalysisPersuasionTroubleshootingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisOperations MonitoringEquipment SelectionEquipment MaintenanceScienceOperation and ControlManagement of Personnel ResourcesRepairingNegotiationProgrammingOperations AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesTechnology DesignInstallation
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceMedicine and DentistryEnglish LanguageMathematicsAdministrativeEducation and TrainingComputers and ElectronicsPsychologyBiologyAdministration and ManagementPersonnel and Human ResourcesTherapy and CounselingPublic Safety and SecurityMechanicalChemistryLaw and GovernmentEngineering and TechnologyTelecommunicationsSales and MarketingForeign LanguageSociology and AnthropologyProduction and ProcessingEconomics and AccountingCommunications and MediaPhilosophy and TheologyTransportationPhysicsHistory and ArcheologyDesignGeographyFood ProductionBuilding and ConstructionFine Arts
Technology & tools
AcuityProEmail softwareEyeMD EMR Healthcare Systems EyeMD EMRMedflow CompleteMediPro Medisoft ClinicalMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordNaviNet OpenWeb browser softwareezChartWriteriChartPlus
Representative tasks
Performing for or Working Directly with the PublicGetting InformationAssisting and Caring for OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationWorking with ComputersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesTraining and Teaching OthersIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsProcessing InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCoaching and Developing OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationAnalyzing Data or InformationProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesControlling Machines and ProcessesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeoplePerforming Administrative ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentPerforming General Physical ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsThinking CreativelyEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentSelling or Influencing OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Patient medical histories — collect and document under direct supervision using standard intake forms in an outpatient ophthalmology clinic.Intraocular pressure measurements — perform basic tonometry tests following step-by-step protocols with technician oversight in a clinical setting.Ophthalmic equipment — identify and operate autorefractors and lensometers under close supervision during routine patient appointments.Visual acuity tests — administer near and distance acuity assessments using standardized charts under the guidance of a senior technician.Lens power measurements — record results using a lensometer following demonstrated procedures with direct supervisor review in a clinical lab.Topical ophthalmic medications — administer under explicit instruction and supervision, following clinic protocols and safety guidelines.Patient communication — use active listening and clear speaking to explain simple pre-examination steps to patients in an ophthalmic office.Electronic health records — enter basic patient data and test results into medical software with oversight from an experienced technician.Visual field tests — set up equipment and assist in conducting field-of-vision screenings under direct technician supervision.Ocular measurements — assist in taking axial length and basic anatomical measurements using guided protocols in a supervised clinical environment.
developing
Patient medical histories — independently gather, verify, and document complete ocular and systemic histories with minimal oversight in a busy ophthalmology practice.Tonometry and tonography — conduct and interpret intraocular pressure tests routinely across diverse patient populations, flagging abnormal results to the supervising physician.Ophthalmic instrument suite — operate phoropters, retinoscopes, and tomographs with consistent accuracy during full patient work-up sequences in an outpatient clinic.Visual acuity assessments — measure and document near, distance, pinhole, and dynamic visual acuity, selecting appropriate test protocols for standard patient presentations.Lens power documentation — measure and record spectacle and contact lens prescriptions using lensometers efficiently within a high-volume clinic workflow.Medication administration — administer topical and oral ophthalmic medications according to physician orders, monitoring patients for immediate adverse reactions.Visual field testing — conduct automated and confrontation visual field tests, recognize common field defect patterns, and document findings accurately for physician review.Anatomical ocular measurements — perform axial length and anterior segment measurements with reliability, applying knowledge of anatomy to ensure data quality.Patient service orientation — adapt communication style to accommodate anxious or elderly patients, coordinating efficiently with clinical staff to minimize wait times.Electronic records and reporting — maintain accurate, compliant patient records in medical software, generating reports and tracking test results across scheduled appointments.
proficient
Complex medical history intake — independently obtain and synthesize multi-system histories for patients with comorbidities, identifying clinically relevant ocular risk factors in a tertiary ophthalmology setting.Advanced tonometry interpretation — perform applanation and non-contact tonometry across challenging cases, interpreting pressure trends and escalating concerns to the ophthalmologist autonomously.Full diagnostic instrument operation — operate the complete range of ophthalmic equipment including OCT tomographs, autorefractors, and retinoscopes, troubleshooting technical issues without supervision.Comprehensive visual acuity evaluation — select, administer, and critically interpret a full battery of acuity tests including dynamic assessments for non-routine or post-surgical patients.Refractive measurement analysis — measure and cross-verify lens power using lensometers, reconciling discrepancies between current and prescribed corrections to support clinical decision-making.Medication protocols — administer and monitor a broad range of topical ophthalmic and oral medications, educating patients on usage and potential side effects with clinical confidence.Visual field program management — design and execute visual field testing sequences for glaucoma and neurological cases, interpreting results to support diagnostic conclusions.Precision ocular biometry — perform advanced axial length and keratometry measurements for surgical planning contexts such as IOL calculations, ensuring data integrity and accuracy.Critical thinking in diagnostics — apply deductive reasoning to identify inconsistencies across test results, prioritizing additional testing or urgent referral within established scope of practice.Clinical documentation quality — compose thorough, precise clinical notes and correspondence using medical software and word processing tools, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
advanced
Clinical standards leadership — develop, implement, and continuously improve ophthalmic technician protocols and quality assurance procedures across a multi-provider ophthalmology department.Staff development and mentorship — design competency-based training programs for emerging and developing technicians, providing structured feedback aligned to clinic performance benchmarks.Diagnostic workflow optimization — evaluate and redesign patient examination workflows integrating autorefractors, OCT, and tonography systems to maximize throughput and diagnostic accuracy at an organizational level.Technology adoption and oversight — lead evaluation, procurement, and implementation of new ophthalmic diagnostic technologies, training clinical staff and establishing usage standards.Performance monitoring — establish and track key quality indicators for visual acuity testing, tonometry, and field testing accuracy, using data analytics to guide continuous improvement initiatives.Interdisciplinary coordination — serve as the primary liaison between ophthalmic technician staff and ophthalmologists, optometrists, and administrative leadership to align clinical and operational goals.Policy and compliance stewardship — author and maintain departmental policies for medication administration, patient safety, and documentation practices in accordance with state regulations and accreditation standards.Advanced patient care strategy — lead development of patient-centered care protocols for high-risk populations including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and pediatric patients across the practice.Educational program leadership — coordinate continuing education and certification pathways for technical staff, fostering a culture of active learning and professional development within the ophthalmic team.Organizational representation — represent the ophthalmic technician workforce in strategic planning discussions, contributing expertise on scope of practice, staffing models, and technology investment at executive levels.
Also known as
24 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technician (Certified Ophthalmic Medical Tech)Certified Ophthalmic Surgical AssistantCertified Ophthalmic Technician (COT)Certified Ophthalmic Technician-Surgical Assistant (COT-SA)Certified Retinal AngiographerEyecare AdvisorHealth Technician (Health Tech)Medical Technician (Medical Tech)Ocular Care Technician (Ocular Care Tech)Ocular Care TechnologistOphthalmic AideOphthalmic AssistantOphthalmic Diagnostic SonographerOphthalmic Medical AssistantOphthalmic Medical Technician (Ophthalmic Medical Tech)Ophthalmic ScribeOphthalmic Tech (Ophthalmic Technician)Ophthalmology AssistantOphthalmology Technician (Ophthalmology Tech)Optical Technician (Optical Tech)Optometric AssistantOptometric Technician (Optometric Tech)ParaoptometricRetinal Angiographer