Post job

Ophthalmic assistant vs certified ophthalmic assistant

The differences between ophthalmic assistants and certified ophthalmic assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an ophthalmic assistant and a certified ophthalmic assistant. Additionally, an ophthalmic assistant has an average salary of $43,217, which is higher than the $42,724 average annual salary of a certified ophthalmic assistant.

The top three skills for an ophthalmic assistant include patients, patient care and ophthalmology. The most important skills for a certified ophthalmic assistant are patients, patient care, and ophthalmology.

Ophthalmic assistant vs certified ophthalmic assistant overview

Ophthalmic AssistantCertified Ophthalmic Assistant
Yearly salary$43,217$42,724
Hourly rate$20.78$20.54
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs21,55974,716
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age4141
Years of experience22

Ophthalmic assistant vs certified ophthalmic assistant salary

Ophthalmic assistants and certified ophthalmic assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Ophthalmic AssistantCertified Ophthalmic Assistant
Average salary$43,217$42,724
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $62,000Between $29,000 And $61,000
Highest paying CityVancouver, WAVancouver, WA
Highest paying stateHawaiiWashington
Best paying companyEye Consultants of AtlantaHorizon Laser Vision
Best paying industryTransportationTechnology

Differences between ophthalmic assistant and certified ophthalmic assistant education

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

Ophthalmic AssistantCertified Ophthalmic Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesBusiness
Most common college--

Ophthalmic assistant vs certified ophthalmic assistant demographics

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

Ophthalmic AssistantCertified Ophthalmic Assistant
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 13.1% Female, 86.9%Male, 10.5% Female, 89.5%
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 ophthalmic assistant and certified ophthalmic assistant duties and responsibilities

Ophthalmic assistant example responsibilities.

  • Experience with IOP, using Tonopen, knowledge of eye drops, emails prescription and refills to pharmacy, for patients.
  • Obtain patient history to include chief complaint, past ocular history medication and allergies.
  • Check intraocular pressure by application and tonopen.
  • Perform OCT, HVF, FA/FP tests.
  • Order labs, MRI, ect as necessary.
  • Perform OCT scans, and Fluorescein Angiograms.
  • Show more

Certified ophthalmic assistant example responsibilities.

  • Perform documentation and manage troubleshooting activities with the Compulink EHR software.
  • Check angles, Intraocular pressure by application and tonopen.
  • Screen patients in a general ophthalmology and optometry practice.
  • Perform contrast sensitivity, corneal topography, pachymetry, and Fundus photography.
  • Specialize in patient education to inform patients of their diagnosis, conditions and procedures and/or surgical interventions need.
  • Check IOP using an applanator or tonopen.
  • Show more

Ophthalmic assistant vs certified ophthalmic assistant skills

Common ophthalmic assistant skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Ophthalmology, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Color Vision, 5%
  • Triage, 4%
Common certified ophthalmic assistant skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Ophthalmology, 6%
  • COA, 5%
  • Triage, 4%
  • Visual Acuity, 4%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs