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Career Details
29-2099.05 - Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
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.
Key Facts

Bright Outlook
1
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
102,200
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
125,900
Estimate
Change in Employment
+23,600
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+23.1%
Estimate
Tasks

Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
- Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
- Assess abnormalities of color vision, such as amblyopia.
- Assess refractive condition of eyes, using retinoscope.
- Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.
- Calculate corrections for refractive errors.
- Collect ophthalmic measurements or other diagnostic information, using ultrasound equipment, such as A-scan ultrasound biometry or B-scan ultrasonography equipment.
- Conduct binocular disparity tests to assess depth perception.
- Conduct ocular motility tests to measure function of eye muscles.
- Conduct tests, such as the Amsler Grid test, to measure central visual field used in the early diagnosis of macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diseases of the eye.
- Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.
- Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision.
- Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
- Measure corneal curvature with keratometers or ophthalmometers to aid in the diagnosis of conditions, such as astigmatism.
- Measure corneal thickness, using pachymeter or contact ultrasound methods.
- Measure the thickness of the retinal nerve, using scanning laser polarimetry techniques to aid in diagnosis of glaucoma.
- Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.
- Perform advanced ophthalmic procedures, including electrophysiological, electrophysical, or microbial procedures.
- Perform fluorescein angiography of the eye.
- Photograph patients' eye areas, using clinical photography techniques, to document retinal or corneal defects.
- Supervise or instruct ophthalmic staff.
- Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements, such as axial length measurements, of the eye or surrounding tissue.
- Call patients to inquire about their post-operative status or recovery.
- Clean or sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments.
- Conduct low vision blindness tests.
- Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses.
- Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment.
- Take and document patients' medical histories.
- Perform ophthalmic triage, in the office or by phone, to assess severity of patients' conditions.
- Educate patients on ophthalmic medical procedures, conditions of the eye, and appropriate use of medications.
Supplemental
- Create three-dimensional images of the eye, using computed tomography (CT).
- Perform slit lamp biomicroscopy procedures to diagnose disorders of the eye, such as retinitis, presbyopia, cataracts, or retinal detachment.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge

Knowledge
The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools

Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology

Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications

Licensing

Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs

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