Summary Report for:
29-2099.05 - Ophthalmic Medical 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.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Tools & Technology | Work Values | Wages & Employment | Job Openings
Tasks
- 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.
Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Exophthalmometers — Hertel exophthalmometers; Luedde exophthalmometers; Naugle exophthalmometers |
| Eye charts or vision cards — Amsler grids; Snellen eye charts; Visual acuity cards |
| Eye occluders — Handheld occluders; Maddox rods |
| Medical computed tomography CT or CAT scanners or tubes — Optical coherence tomography OCT scanners; Retinal tomography machines |
| Ophthalmic lensometers — Automated lensometers; Manual lensometers |
| Opticians tools or accessories — Digital pupillometers; Manual pupillometers; Millimeter rules |
| Ultrasonic examination equipment — A-scan biometers; B-Scan biometers; Bio-microscopes |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Electronic mail software — Email software |
| Internet browser software — Web browser software |
| Medical software — AcuityPro VisionScience Software; EyeMD EMR; MediPro Medisoft Clinical; NaviNet software |
Work Values
| Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. |
| Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. |
| Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. |
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Median wages data collected from Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other.
Employment data collected from Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other.
Industry data collected from Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other.
| Median wages (2012) | $19.57 hourly, $40,700 annual |
| Employment (2010) | 94,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2010-2020) | 
Faster than average (20% to 28%)
|
| Projected job openings (2010-2020) | 40,400 |
| Top industries (2010) |
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 wage data
and 2010-2020 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2010-2020). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
