ophthalmic technician

952 Words2 Pages

Job Description: Ophthalmic technicians are trained and qualified professionals who assist ophthalmologists in order to diagnose and treat patients. Ophthalmic technicians do not have any independent practices, meaning they only work for ophthalmologists and cannot open their own practice.

Ophthalmic technicians perform many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that are standard in ophthalmology. Depending on the person?s experience and qualifications, their duties can include:

- Taking the patient?s medical history

- Running diagnostic tests

- Taking measurements of the patient?s eyes, testing vision, visual fields, and sensory-motor function

- Prescribing topical medications

- Teaching the patient how to properly care for and use contact lenses

- Caring for and maintaining optical instruments and equipment

- Helping the ophthalmologist perform eye surgery (can be done in the ophthalmologist?s office or in the hospital)

- Performing ocular electro-neurological procedures

- Helping to fit contact lenses

- Fitting, adjusting, and making simple repairs on glasses

- Giving eye drops to patients

Ophthalmic technicians are highly trained so that they can perform a large range of tasks that are required in order to continuously help the ophthalmologist. Ophthalmic technicians are qualified to do everything that ophthalmic assistants do, however, they can do these things in more detail, and can also do other more complex tasks.

Potential Work Locations:

- Hospitals

- Doctor?s Offices

- Ophthalmologist?s Offices

- Eye Clinics

- Health Care Centres

Educational Background: There are more than 30 programs for ophthalmic technicians in Canada, the US, and India. These programs are done at universities, colleges, an...

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...anced their quality of life.

r This job can be stressful, considering that you are responsible for your patients? eyesight.

r Ophthalmic technicians are on their feet most of the day.

r You will most likely have to deal with difficult and uncooperative patients on a daily basis.

Current Employment Trends: The job outlook for ophthalmic technicians is extremely good, and is expected to increase over time. There are currently more positions available than there are applicants to fill them. There is a continuing demand for ophthalmic care due to the growing elderly population, and therefore a greater demand for ophthalmic technicians.

Other Related Careers:

- Optometrist

- Optician

- Ophthalmologist

- Orientation and mobility specialist for the blind/visually impaired

- Orthoptist

- Eye specialist

- Neuro-ophthalmologist

- Oculoplastics and orbit surgeon

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