Who are Ophthalmic Medical Personnel?
Ophthalmic Medical Personnel, also called Allied Ophthalmic Personnel, assist ophthalmologists.
Ophthalmic Assistants are allied health care professionals in the field of ophthalmology. Ophthalmology is the practice of medicine concerned with anatomy, diseases and treatments of the eye. Ophthalmic Assistants work alongside eye doctors (Ophthalmologists) who provide medical and surgical treatment of eye conditions. Ophthalmic Assistants play an important role in patient care and are a valuable part of the eye care team.
What does an Ophthalmic Assistant do?
They take patient health histories, test vision, perform diagnostic examinations, administer eye medications, evaluate eye muscle movements and educate patients, as well as assist Ophthalmologists in surgical settings.
Ophthalmic Assistants work alongside Ophthalmologists in private practices, medical centers, hospitals and university clinics. They see patients of all ages—from babies and children, to adults and the elderly.
They are trained to work with people who need glasses and contact lenses, and those who have a variety of eye disorders, such as cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic eye disease.
People who are compassionate, empathetic, respectful and professional with strong communication skills have the important characteristics needed to be eye care team members.
Learn more about this amazing career from There is a Career In Sight for You, a video from JCAHPO.org. Visit DiscoverEyeCareers.com to learn more.
Georgetown’s OMPTP Certificate prepares students to enter the Ophthalmic Technician and Technologist fields (U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics SOC code 29-2057).
Contact us! eyetechtraining@georgetown.edu