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Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipModerate pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $50,290 Median per year · $24.18/hr Most earn $38,180–$85,270

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Assess refractive condition of eyes, using retinoscope.
  • Perform fluorescein angiography of the eye.
  • Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
  • Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.
  • Measure corneal thickness, using pachymeter or contact ultrasound methods.
  • Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
6% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 12,400 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • General medical and surgical hospitals34.0%
  • Offices of physicians15.9%
  • Federal government, excluding postal service2.5%
  • Offices of all other health practitioners2.0%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Ophthalmic Medical Technologist is not usually an entry-level job. Most people spend about 2 to 4 years in related eye-care work first, often as an Ophthalmic Medical Technician, before taking on this role.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finish high school with strong science and math classes, since they build the base for medical training and patient work.

  2. Ophthalmic Medical Technician

    1-2 years

    Start in an eye doctor's office helping with patient intake, basic eye tests, and instruments, which builds the hands-on skills this career needs.

  3. Ophthalmic Medical Technologist

    Reached after about 2-4 years of total related experience

    Complete an ophthalmic certificate or apprenticeship, then take on photography, minor surgical assistance, teaching, and supervising other staff.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead Ophthalmic Technologist

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take charge of daily clinic workflow, train new staff, and act as the go-to expert for technical and surgical support.

  2. Ophthalmic Practice Manager

    5+ years of experience first

    You shift from hands-on clinical work to running the office, handling scheduling, staffing, budgets, and compliance.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology and health or anatomy classesThese teach the eye's structure and medical terms you will use every day in this job.
  • Get a starter job at a medical office or pharmacyFront desk or patient check-in work teaches you how a clinic runs and how to talk with patients.
  • Volunteer at a hospital or clinicVolunteering shows you the health care setting and looks good on future training applications.
  • Join a health occupations or science clubClubs help you learn teamwork and give you early exposure to medical careers.

In college

  • Take anatomy, physiology, and medical terminologyThese courses prepare you for an ophthalmic certificate program and the technical knowledge the job requires.
  • Work as a medical assistant or in a clinicHands-on clinical experience builds the 2 to 4 years of related work that employers and programs often expect.
  • Look for an ophthalmology or optometry office jobWorking directly in an eye care setting helps you learn exam tools, patient instruction, and office routines.
  • Explore a medical assisting or ophthalmic technician certificateA short certificate can speed up your move into an eye-care role and show employers you are committed.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask an eye doctor's office if you can shadow or volunteer for a day, so you can see the daily work up close before you commit.
  • Look for certificate or apprenticeship programs in ophthalmic technology at local community colleges or training providers, and ask about hands-on clinical hours.
  • Build patient-care and communication skills now, since you will teach patients how to use glasses and eye medications.

Related jobs that often lead here

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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