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Certified ophthalmic surgical assistant vs optometric technician

The differences between certified ophthalmic surgical assistants and optometric technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a certified ophthalmic surgical assistant and an optometric technician. Additionally, a certified ophthalmic surgical assistant has an average salary of $44,864, which is higher than the $30,928 average annual salary of an optometric technician.

The top three skills for a certified ophthalmic surgical assistant include patients, surgery and in-office. The most important skills for an optometric technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Certified ophthalmic surgical assistant vs optometric technician overview

Certified Ophthalmic Surgical AssistantOptometric Technician
Yearly salary$44,864$30,928
Hourly rate$21.57$14.87
Growth rate-16%
Number of jobs59,88433,412
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age4141
Years of experience22

Certified ophthalmic surgical assistant vs optometric technician salary

Certified ophthalmic surgical assistants and optometric technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Certified Ophthalmic Surgical AssistantOptometric Technician
Average salary$44,864$30,928
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $65,000Between $24,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between certified ophthalmic surgical assistant and optometric technician education

There are a few differences between a certified ophthalmic surgical assistant and an optometric technician in terms of educational background:

Certified Ophthalmic Surgical AssistantOptometric Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorNursingBiology
Most common college--

Certified ophthalmic surgical assistant vs optometric technician demographics

Here are the differences between certified ophthalmic surgical assistants' and optometric technicians' demographics:

Certified Ophthalmic Surgical AssistantOptometric Technician
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 10.1% Female, 89.9%Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 14.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between certified ophthalmic surgical assistant and optometric technician duties and responsibilities

Certified ophthalmic surgical assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage surgical scheduling, cataract evaluations, ultrasounds, keratometry, IOL selection, and preoperative exam for surgery.
  • Perform technical examination, testing and evaluation of cancer patients in outpatient setting and bedside.
  • Perform clinic work-ups/manifest refraction utilizing EMR, program and maintain laser equipment, clinical photography, and assist physicians during surgeries.
  • Project management and event coordinator responsibilities; Dr. Garcia hosts and attends numerous continuing education events yearly.

Optometric technician example responsibilities.

  • Maintain coating quality using adhesion testing and spectrophotometers, and manage coating hues and reflectance adjustments.
  • Preform pre-test on patients, using auto refractor, NCT and OCT and fundus photos.
  • Identify, reference and apply insurance coverage and present financial policies and arrangements accurately to patients.
  • Perform and interpret OCT and HVF.
  • Measure eye pressure with Tonopen and tonometer.
  • Maintain accurate and organize patient records, including EHR.
  • Show more

Certified ophthalmic surgical assistant vs optometric technician skills

Common certified ophthalmic surgical assistant skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Surgery, 14%
  • In-Office, 6%
  • Laser Treatments, 6%
  • Medical History, 5%
  • IOL, 5%
Common optometric technician skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Field Testing, 8%
  • Excellent Organizational, 7%
  • Pre-test, 5%

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