Cip Code: 51.1801
Pending The Commission on Opticianry Accreditation (COA) approval.
Overview
An ophthalmic technician is a skilled allied health professional who works under an ophthalmologist to provide patient care, performing duties such as taking medical histories, measuring visual acuity, performing diagnostic tests, and assisting in minor surgeries. They are in high demand, with training available through 1–2 year programs or on-the-job training, often leading to Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) certification.
Key Responsibilities
Patient Work-ups: Taking detailed medical histories and assessing vision.
Diagnostic Testing: Performing tonometry (eye pressure), visual field testing, keratometry,
and imaging of the eye.
Refractometry: Measuring for glasses prescriptions and fitting contact lenses.
Surgical Assistance: Assisting with minor office procedures and eye surgeries.
Equipment Maintenance: Cleaning, sterilizing, and maintaining specialized ophthalmic
equipment.
Training and Certification
Education: Programs typically range from 12 months to a 2-year Associate Degree, covering
ocular anatomy, optics, and disease.
Certification: The International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology
(IJCAHPO) offers the Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) designation, which involves
a multiple-choice exam and a skill evaluation.
Experience Route: Alternatively, individuals can become certified after 1 year of
on-the-job experience and required training hours.
Career Outlook and Requirements
Demand: Excellent, with high demand for technicians due to an aging population.
Work Environment: Primarily clinics and hospitals, offering 35-40 hour work weeks
with limited weekends or evenings.
Skills: Requires manual dexterity, interpersonal skills, and an interest in science.
Common Skills Developed
Ocular Motility: Testing eye movement.
Tonometry: Glaucoma detection.
Visual Field Evaluation: Measuring peripheral vision.
Computerized Imaging: Measuring retinal layers and cornea.
Career Options
The outlook for opthalmic assistant roles is positive. As a newer field, it is gaining in popularity as the demand for healthcare services also grows with technological advancements and an aging population.