What Do Ophthalmic Technologists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Ophthalmic 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. 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.
• Collect ophthalmic measurements or other diagnostic information, using ultrasound equipment, such as A-scan ultrasound biometry or B-scan ultrasonography equipment.
• Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements, such as axial length measurements, of the eye or surrounding tissue.
• Take and document patients’ medical histories.
• Calculate corrections for refractive errors.
• Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.

We asked Ophthalmic Technologists 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 Technologists conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure. They take and document patients’ medical histories.

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

• Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
• Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.
• Calculate corrections for refractive errors.
• Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
• Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment.

We asked some Ophthalmic Technologists 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?	82% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	61% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	96% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	61% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	21% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	50% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Ophthalmic Technologists also call patients to inquire about their post-operative status or recovery. They may also conduct low vision blindness tests.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Ophthalmic Technologists Perform fluorescein angiography of the eye. They might also Conduct binocular disparity tests to assess depth perception.

In addition, they Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Assess abnormalities of color vision, such as amblyopia.

To some Ophthalmic Technologists, 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 Technologist, 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 work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

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