Description
Ophthalmic Medical Technologists (Ophthalmic Medical Techs) support ophthalmologists by performing advanced clinical testing and ophthalmic photography, conducting eye exams, and assisting with minor procedures using aseptic technique and prepared instruments. They administer eye medications, educate patients on eye care and corrective lenses, and train or supervise ophthalmic staff.
- • Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications as ordered.
- • Assess color vision and identify color deficiencies.
- • Assess refractive error using retinoscopy.
- • Assist ophthalmologists with clinical procedures and minor surgery.
- • Calculate refractive corrections.
- • Obtain ocular biometry and diagnostic ultrasound (A-scan, B-scan).
- • Test stereopsis to assess depth perception.
- • Evaluate ocular motility and extraocular muscle function.
- • Perform Amsler Grid or similar tests for central vision screening.
- • Measure intraocular pressure with tonometry or tonography.
- • Conduct automated or manual visual field testing.
- • Capture three-dimensional ocular images (e.g., OCT).
- • Measure and record lens power with a lensometer.
- • Measure corneal curvature with keratometry or ophthalmometry.
- • Measure corneal thickness via pachymetry or contact ultrasound.
- • Measure retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (e.g., scanning laser or OCT) for glaucoma assessment.
- • Measure visual acuity (near, distance, pinhole, dynamic).
- • Perform advanced diagnostics (e.g., electrophysiology or microbiology) per protocol.
- • Perform fluorescein angiography.
- • Conduct slit-lamp biomicroscopy and imaging.
- • Photograph anterior and posterior segment findings for documentation.
- • Supervise, train, or precept ophthalmic staff.
- • Take ocular measurements (e.g., axial length) and document results.
- • Contact patients to check post-operative status and recovery.
- • Clean, disinfect, and sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments.
- • Conduct low vision assessments.
- • Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses.
- • Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot ophthalmic instruments and equipment.
- • Obtain and document comprehensive ocular and medical histories.
- • Perform ophthalmic triage in person or by phone.
- • Educate patients on eye conditions, procedures, and proper medication use.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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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
