What Do Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Ophthalmic Medical Technicians 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. They also conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.

Other tasks include:

• Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.
• Take and document patients’ medical histories.
• Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
• Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision.
• Operate ophthalmic equipment, such as autorefractors, phoropters, tomographs, or retinoscopes.
• Clean or sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments.

We asked Ophthalmic Medical Technicians how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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74% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 82% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Ophthalmic Medical Technicians administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications. They conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.

A typical day for an Ophthalmic Medical Technician will also include:

• Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.
• Take and document patients’ medical histories.
• Operate ophthalmic equipment, such as autorefractors, phoropters, tomographs, or retinoscopes.
• Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
• Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment.

We asked some Ophthalmic Medical Technicians a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	78% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	70% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	87% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	57% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	22% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	57% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Ophthalmic Medical Technicians also assist patients to select eyewear. They may also assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Call patients to inquire about their post-operative status or recovery. They might also Assist patients to insert or remove contact lenses.

In addition, they Conduct binocular disparity tests to assess depth perception.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Adjust or make minor repairs to spectacles or eyeglasses.

To some Ophthalmic Medical Technicians, it is also their responsibility to Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Ophthalmic Medical Technician, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/dental-and-ophthalmic-laboratory-technicians-and-medical-appliance-technicians.htm

http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292057.htm