Ophthalmic Medical Technician

Explore This Path

Ideal for those passionate about eye health and patient care.
Play a vital role in diagnosing and improving patients' vision.
Work with advanced ophthalmic technology daily.

💰 Earn $44K-$58K

📚 Vocational Training

⏱️ 12–24 MONTH TRAINING

📈 14.1% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

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.

Take and document patients' medical histories.
Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.
Operate ophthalmic equipment, such as autorefractors, phoropters, tomographs, or retinoscopes.
Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements of the eye or surrounding tissue, such as axial length measurements.
Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.

Scoop

Minimum Education

Vocational Training

Career Prospects

Excellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

1 to 2 years

Job Openings

10,600 Annually

Median Earnings

$49,260 in California

$41,780 Nationally

$25K

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Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Ophthalmic Medical Technician? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@natapinaa

@mmmeggy1

@natapinaa

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Relating with or serving others
Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Service Orientation
Social Perceptiveness

You value 🙏

Accomplishing things
Having support
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Ophthalmic Medical Technician

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years