We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Become an Ophthalmic Medical Technician?

By K T Solis
Updated: Mar 02, 2024
Views: 6,302
Share

Ophthalmic medical technicians are medical professionals who work with eye doctors called ophthalmologists. Medical technicians who work in this field assist the ophthalmologists in the field of eye care. Anyone who wants to become an ophthalmic medical technician must first complete specialized training. A person who wants to become an ophthalmic medical technician must exhibit excellent customer service skills, possess in-depth knowledge of ocular health, and work well with other medical professionals.

There are three levels of ophthalmic medical technicians. They include Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA), Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT), and Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT). COAs are entry-level technicians, while COTs are intermediate level assistants. The most advanced level is the COMT. All three positions require that the technicians pass a national certification exam.

A person who wishes to become an ophthalmic medical technician will be responsible for a variety of duties. He or she may be expected to record patient medical histories and teach patients how to insert and care for contacts. Ophthalmic medical technicians may also be required to care for surgical equipment, administer medication to patients, and perform general office duties.

Ophthalmic medical technician education programs generally last one to two years. Typical courses include classes in anatomy and physiology, eye diseases, anatomy and physiology of the eyes, ophthalmic pharmacology, and ophthalmic surgical procedures. General courses such as psychology, medical terminology, medical ethics, and medical law may also be required. All future technicians must also successfully complete a practicum which involves training with experienced ophthalmic personnel.

Graduating from an accredited ophthalmic medical technician program permits graduates to take the national certification exam. Exams are administered by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology. They can then find entry-level positions in the ophthalmology field. Graduates can also pursue further training by taking courses in ultrasound, surgical assisting, poor vision, and ophthalmic photography.

If someone wants to become an ophthalmic medical technician, he or she can expect to work in one of several environments. Medical technicians in this field may work in a private ophthalmologist office or other health care facilities that require the services of an ophthalmologist. A typical workday may include helping patients select eyeglass frames and teaching them how to care for contacts.

Medical technicians who receive further training to become medical technologists may even assist with eye surgery. They perform fluorescence angiography and ophthalmic clinical photography. Medical technologists are also qualified to perform electrophysiological and microbiological procedures. Since they are advanced medical assistants, they may be asked to supervise other ophthalmic medical technicians.

Share
Practical Adult Insights is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.practicaladultinsights.com/how-do-i-become-an-ophthalmic-medical-technician.htm
Copy this link
Practical Adult Insights, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Practical Adult Insights, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.