Ophthalmic Technologist Career & Jobs: Training, Salary & Certification Requirements

The ability to see accurately is one of the most important senses that the human body has. When an injury, illness, abnormality or age causes a person to lose their full sense of sight, it is important to find out what can be done to help them regain it. In some cases, eye glasses or contact are all that are necessary, and in other cases, more serious treatments are needed. The ophthalmic technologist is a trained medical professional that is responsible for providing necessary assistance to ophthalmologists that are caring for patients with eye diseases and disease related eye problems. Tasks of the ophthalmic technologist include training patients how to administer eye medications, using ultrasound equipment to examine a patient’s eye and assist the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis of their potential condition.

Salary Outlook

Average Annual Salary
$34,400
Salary Range
$28,500 - $42,600

Work Environment

Because ophthalmologists are highly specialized medical doctors, it is most common for ophthalmic technologist to work closely with them in private practices and specialty clinics. It is not uncommon for the ophthalmic technologist to be required to work nights and weekends if a patient experiences and emergency situation.

High School Preparation

Those students that are interested in entering the field of health care and have an interest in the sense of sight are encouraged to spend their high school careers focusing on biology, anatomy and communications. Supporting courses for this line of work include chemistry, physics, foreign language, and social studies. It is also helpful for the high school student to spend some time in a health related volunteer position or internship.

Requirements

After receiving their high school diplomas, students that aspire to become ophthalmic technologists are required to enter a college level program with a concentration on science in their coursework. Following completion of two years of course work, or the equivalent of sixty hours, the students are then required to apply to an accredited technologist training program for the remaining two years of their college education. If the student desires, there is a national certification exam offered by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology that can be taken after graduation.

Career Outlook

As many experts have already noted, there is a growing population of elderly people in this country and that population is expected to expand rapidly in the next ten years. These aging individuals will need increased access to ophthalmic technologists for dealing with their age related eye problems. Those technicians who take it upon themselves to continue their professional knowledge and learn about new technologies will be the most desirable.

Professional Organizations

Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology
2025 Woodlane Drive
St. Paul, MN 55125-2995
Phone: (651) 731-7239
www.atpo.org