Ophthalmic Technician job description

Three credentials mark the ladder in this job: Certified Ophthalmic Assistant, Certified Ophthalmic Technician, and Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist. The work is clinical support for an ophthalmologist: histories, pressure checks, diagnostic testing, eye drops, and help in the procedure room. BLS files ophthalmic and optometric technicians under one line, ophthalmic medical technicians. In offices of physicians, where 38,900 of them worked, the median was $47,200 in May 2025, in a range of $37,540 to $61,600 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles. Hospitals paid that line more, a median of $61,620.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

O*NET rates the history and the tonometry reading highest, followed closely by acuity testing, visual fields, lens power, and measurements such as axial length. O*NET's core list also covers keratometry, which measures the curve of the cornea to help diagnose astigmatism, and ocular motility testing. Technicians give topical and oral medications as directed, assist the physician during procedures including surgery, and keep ophthalmic and surgical instruments sterile and working. A technologist does more on top of that, including ophthalmic photography, ultrasound biometry, phone triage, and supervising other staff.

Common Skills and Technologies

Operating autorefractors, phoropters, tomographs, and retinoscopes is part of the core task list. The software in postings is the Microsoft Office set, Excel and Word most of all. Active listening leads the skills, with speaking, writing, and service orientation close behind.

Education, Training, and Career Path

In O*NET's survey a high school diploma is the most frequent answer to what the job requires, at about 59 percent, with a postsecondary certificate next at about 27 percent. Ophthalmic Assistant is one of the titles incumbents reported. The International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology sets the ladder. Graduating an accredited training program is one route to each level. Another route to the technician exam runs through the assistant credential plus 2,000 supervised work hours within 24 months, and a certified technician can move up to technologist with continuing education.

Sources: O*NET 30.0, 29-2057.00 Ophthalmic Medical Technicians, https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-2057.00. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, 29-2057, https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm. International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology, https://www.jcahpo.org/certification/certifications/certified-ophthalmic-technician/.