Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Medical histories are taken first, then a sequence of eye tests: visual acuity (near, distance, pinhole), visual fields, intraocular pressure, and measurements of the eye and surrounding tissue. Autorefractors, phoropters, tomographs, retinoscopes, and lensometers are used to gather those readings, and topical or oral medications may be given as directed. Findings go into the chart, and patients may be instructed on corrective lenses. The work is clinical, with a lot of equipment handling and accurate notes. Suits people who like methodical testing, careful documentation, and explaining procedures in everyday language.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$45'570
Median Wage Market Position
$45'570
What you might do
- Check near and distance vision with eye charts
- Measure pressure inside the eye
- Map how wide a patient's field of vision is
- Take measurements of the eye and nearby tissue
- Write down patients' medical histories before the exam
- Give eye drops or oral medicines as directed
Skills that matter
- Taking and writing down medical histories
- Explaining exams and corrective lens care
- Measuring intraocular pressure with tonometry
- Testing near and distance visual acuity
- Recording lens power with a lensometer
- Operating phoropters, tomographs, or retinoscopes
AI & the future of this role
Some imaging capture and intake documentation could shift toward smarter clinic systems over time. Patient positioning, medication administration, and lens-care coaching still rely on in-person skill and ophthalmologist-supervised judgment.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details