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.
- • Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses.
- • 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.
- • Create three-dimensional images of the eye, using computed tomography (CT).
- • 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.
- • Perform slit lamp biomicroscopy procedures to diagnose disorders of the eye, such as retinitis, presbyopia, cataracts, or retinal detachment.
- • 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.
- • 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.
Related specializations
Interview options
Interview options
Interviewee gender
Interviewee accent
Interview time
Related Pathways
Healthcare & Human Services
View
Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
Learn more
Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
