How to become an Ophthalmic Medical Technologist

Official title: Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Also called: Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS), Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT), Ophthalmic Echographer, Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (Ophthalmic Medical Tech), Ophthalmic Photographer, Ophthalmic Sonographer, Ophthalmic Technologist (Ophthalmic Tech), Ophthalmic Ultrasonographer, Registered Ophthalmic Ultrasound Biometrist (ROUB), Surgical Coordinator

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.

Main tasks

• Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.
• Take and document patients' medical histories.
• Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements, such as axial length measurements, of the eye or surrounding tissue.
• Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.
• Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
• Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
• 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.

How to become one

Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award

Ways in

• Certificate or associate's degree: Postsecondary nondegree award. Programs such as Respiratory Therapy Technician/Assistant; Radiologist Assistant; Electroneurodiagnostic/Electroencephalographic Technology/Technologist

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $50,290 a year The middle half earn $44,170 to $64,340.
• About 185,600 people work in this job now, and about 196,400 are projected by 2035. (+5.9%)
• People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Ophthalmic Medical Technologist?

Ways in include: Postsecondary nondegree award.

How much does an Ophthalmic Medical Technologist earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $50,290 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $44,170 to $64,340.

Is an Ophthalmic Medical Technologist a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 185,600 to about 196,400 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become an Ophthalmic Medical Technologist?

Not always. 31% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Postsecondary nondegree award.

Will AI change the work of an Ophthalmic Medical Technologist?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.