All About Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
Position 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
- Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses.
- Collect ophthalmic measurements or other diagnostic information, using ultrasound equipment, such as A-scan ultrasound biometry or B-scan ultrasonography equipment.
- Measure corneal thickness, using pachymeter or contact ultrasound methods.
- Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.
- Take and document patients' medical histories.
- Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
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Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Needed Skills
These are the skills Ophthalmic Medical Technologists say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Other Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Job Titles
- Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT)
- Optometric Technologist
- Retinal Angiographer
- Ophthalmic Technologist (Ophthalmic Tech)
- Ophthalmic Surgical Coordinator
What Kind of Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 127,800 jobs for Ophthalmic Medical Technologist in 2016. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 11,000 job openings in this field each 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 Average Salary
The typical yearly salary for Ophthalmic Medical Technologists is somewhere between $28,130 and $72,720.

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 |
What Tools do Ophthalmic Medical Technologists Use?
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
Learn what Ophthalmic Medical Technologist education requirements there are.

What work experience do I need to become an Ophthalmic Medical Technologist?

Who Employs Ophthalmic Medical Technologists?

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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