Occupation · SOC 29-2099.05
Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
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.
Median wage
$48,790
$37,290–$81,290
Projected growth
+5.2%
Average growth
Annual openings
930
per year
Employed (US)
174,060
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
340 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationCritical ThinkingWritingReading ComprehensionInstructingCoordinationTime ManagementMonitoringLearning StrategiesJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningManagement of Personnel ResourcesPersuasionOperations MonitoringMathematicsSystems AnalysisNegotiationScienceSystems EvaluationTroubleshootingQuality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlProgrammingEquipment SelectionManagement of Financial ResourcesTechnology DesignRepairingManagement of Material ResourcesEquipment MaintenanceOperations AnalysisInstallation
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceMedicine and DentistryEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingMathematicsAdministrativeAdministration and ManagementComputers and ElectronicsBiologyPublic Safety and SecurityPsychologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesCommunications and MediaChemistryMechanicalTelecommunicationsTherapy and CounselingLaw and GovernmentPhysicsSociology and AnthropologyEconomics and AccountingForeign LanguageProduction and ProcessingEngineering and TechnologyTransportationSales and MarketingPhilosophy and TheologyGeographyDesignHistory and ArcheologyFood ProductionFine ArtsBuilding and Construction
Technology & tools
AcuityProAutodesk AutoCADComputer aided design and drafting CADD softwareEmail softwareEyeMD EMR Healthcare Systems EyeMD EMRHypertext preprocessor PHPJavaScriptMedflow CompleteMediPro Medisoft ClinicalMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordMicrosoft operating systemNaviNet OpenSAP softwareWeb browser softwareWord processing softwareezChartWriteriChartPlus
Representative tasks
Documenting/Recording InformationGetting InformationAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicWorking with ComputersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsTraining and Teaching OthersIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCoaching and Developing OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkProcessing InformationDeveloping and Building TeamsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersControlling Machines and ProcessesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsAnalyzing Data or InformationProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleHandling and Moving ObjectsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationThinking CreativelyMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesSelling or Influencing OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Tonometry equipment — perform basic intraocular pressure measurements under direct supervision in an outpatient ophthalmology clinic.Patient medical histories — collect and document standard intake information by following structured intake protocols in a clinical setting.Visual acuity charts and near-vision cards — administer distance and near visual acuity tests under technician oversight in a standard exam lane.Lensometers — identify and operate basic lens-power measurement instruments with step-by-step guidance in an optical dispensary or clinic.Topical ophthalmic medications — assist in administering prescribed eye drops following written protocols under supervising clinician direction.Ultrasound biometry equipment — recognize A-scan and B-scan device components and observe their setup under senior technologist guidance.Ocular measurement procedures — learn and replicate axial length measurement steps on cooperative patients under direct clinical supervision.Refractive error documentation — record patient prescription data accurately into electronic medical records following established data-entry guidelines.Medical software platforms — navigate electronic health record systems to retrieve and log basic patient information in a clinical workflow.Patient communication skills — greet, orient, and reassure patients during routine ophthalmic testing using clear, professional language in a clinic environment.
developing
Tonometry and tonography tests — conduct intraocular pressure measurements independently and flag abnormal readings for ophthalmologist review in a busy outpatient clinic.Comprehensive patient histories — obtain, verify, and document complete ocular and systemic medical histories with minimal oversight in a multi-provider practice.Visual acuity assessments — administer and record near, distance, pinhole, and dynamic visual acuity tests accurately across varied patient populations in a clinical exam suite.Lensometer readings — measure and record spectacle lens power routinely and detect discrepancies between prescriptions and actual lens parameters in an optical lab.Refractive error corrections — apply standard formulas to calculate corrective lens prescriptions from refraction data in routine clinical cases.Ophthalmic medications — administer topical and oral ophthalmic medications per physician orders, monitor patients for immediate adverse reactions in a clinical setting.A-scan ultrasound biometry — collect axial length measurements using ultrasound equipment to support intraocular lens power calculations in a pre-surgical workflow.Anatomical ocular measurements — perform measurements of the eye and periocular tissue, including axial length, and integrate results into patient records with routine accuracy.Time management in clinical flow — coordinate patient scheduling, testing sequences, and exam-lane turnover to maintain efficient throughput in a high-volume ophthalmology practice.Instructional support for patients — explain post-procedure care instructions and medication regimens clearly to patients and caregivers using appropriate health literacy strategies.
proficient
Advanced tonography interpretation — perform and independently interpret tonometry and tonography results, correlating findings with patient history to inform glaucoma management in a specialty clinic.Full-scope ocular diagnostics — conduct the complete range of anatomical and functional ocular measurements, including B-scan ultrasonography, without oversight across routine and complex cases.Non-routine visual acuity evaluation — select and administer specialized acuity protocols for pediatric, low-vision, or cognitively impaired patients, adapting methods to individual needs in a tertiary care setting.Refractive correction calculations — calculate refractive corrections independently for complex prescriptions, including high myopia and astigmatism cases, using clinical data and mathematical reasoning.Diagnostic ultrasound operation — obtain and evaluate A-scan and B-scan ultrasonography images autonomously, identifying pathological findings and communicating results to supervising ophthalmologists.Medication management — administer ophthalmic medications, recognize contraindications, and apply critical thinking when patient responses deviate from expected outcomes in a clinical environment.Clinical documentation quality — review, audit, and correct patient records and diagnostic data for completeness and accuracy in an electronic health record system across an entire patient panel.Complex problem solving in diagnostics — analyze ambiguous or conflicting diagnostic findings, integrate multiple data sources, and recommend follow-up testing in a multi-specialty ophthalmology practice.Patient history synthesis — compile comprehensive medical and ocular histories, identify clinically significant patterns, and flag high-risk findings for urgent ophthalmologist attention.Intraoperative measurement support — provide precise pre-surgical biometry and lens-power data to surgical teams, ensuring measurement accuracy for optimal intraocular lens selection in an ambulatory surgery center.
advanced
Diagnostic protocol development — design and implement standardized ophthalmic testing protocols and clinical workflows that optimize accuracy and efficiency across a multi-site ophthalmology group.Staff training and competency assurance — develop curricula and mentor emerging and developing technologists in tonometry, ultrasonography, and refraction techniques within an organizational training program.Quality improvement leadership — lead systematic audits of diagnostic measurement accuracy and patient documentation practices, driving measurable improvements in clinical outcomes across the department.Advanced technology integration — evaluate, select, and oversee implementation of new ophthalmic diagnostic technologies, including ultrasound biometry platforms and medical software systems, at the organizational level.Scope-of-practice governance — establish and update policies governing technologist duties, medication administration, and patient safety standards in alignment with state regulations and accreditation requirements.Organizational performance monitoring — analyze practice-wide diagnostic throughput, error rates, and patient satisfaction data to inform strategic decisions by clinical leadership.Interdisciplinary collaboration leadership — serve as the primary liaison between ophthalmic technologists, ophthalmologists, optometrists, and administrative staff to coordinate seamless patient care delivery.Learning strategy design — create competency-based learning pathways and assessment tools for onboarding new hires, tailored to the Job Zone 3 preparation level of incoming technologists.Refractive services program management — oversee the full refractive diagnostic workflow, from measurement to prescription calculation, ensuring consistent accuracy and patient safety across a high-volume practice.Organizational knowledge transfer — author clinical reference guides, standard operating procedures, and best-practice documentation that codify institutional expertise in ophthalmic diagnostic technology for department-wide use.
Also known as
21 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
AngiographerAngiography TechnologistCertified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS)Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT)Certified Ophthalmic TechnologistCertified Retinal AngiographerMedical TechnologistOcular Care TechnologistOphthalmic Diagnostic ImagerOphthalmic EchographerOphthalmic Medical Technologist (Ophthalmic Medical Tech)Ophthalmic PhotographerOphthalmic SonographerOphthalmic Surgical CoordinatorOphthalmic Technologist (Ophthalmic Tech)Ophthalmic UltrasonographerOptometric PrescreenerOptometric TechnologistRegistered Ophthalmic Ultrasound Biometrist (ROUB)Retinal AngiographerSurgical Coordinator