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Ophthalmic assistant vs certified ophthalmic surgical assistant

The differences between ophthalmic assistants and certified ophthalmic surgical 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 surgical assistant. Additionally, a certified ophthalmic surgical assistant has an average salary of $44,864, which is higher than the $43,217 average annual salary of an ophthalmic assistant.

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

Ophthalmic assistant vs certified ophthalmic surgical assistant overview

Ophthalmic AssistantCertified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant
Yearly salary$43,217$44,864
Hourly rate$20.78$21.57
Growth rate16%-
Number of jobs21,55959,884
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age4141
Years of experience22

Ophthalmic assistant vs certified ophthalmic surgical assistant salary

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

Ophthalmic AssistantCertified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant
Average salary$43,217$44,864
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $62,000Between $30,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CityVancouver, WA-
Highest paying stateHawaii-
Best paying companyEye Consultants of Atlanta-
Best paying industryTransportation-

Differences between ophthalmic assistant and certified ophthalmic surgical assistant education

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

Ophthalmic AssistantCertified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorMedical Assisting ServicesNursing
Most common college--

Ophthalmic assistant vs certified ophthalmic surgical assistant demographics

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

Ophthalmic AssistantCertified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 13.1% Female, 86.9%Male, 10.1% Female, 89.9%
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 surgical 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 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.

Ophthalmic assistant vs certified ophthalmic surgical assistant skills

Common ophthalmic assistant skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Ophthalmology, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Color Vision, 5%
  • Triage, 4%
Common certified ophthalmic surgical assistant skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Surgery, 14%
  • In-Office, 6%
  • Laser Treatments, 6%
  • Medical History, 5%
  • IOL, 5%

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