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Ophthalmic surgical assistant vs ophthalmic assistant

The differences between ophthalmic surgical assistants and 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 surgical assistant and an ophthalmic assistant. Additionally, an ophthalmic surgical assistant has an average salary of $44,057, which is higher than the $43,217 average annual salary of an ophthalmic assistant.

The top three skills for an ophthalmic surgical assistant include patients, IOL and patient history. The most important skills for an ophthalmic assistant are patients, patient care, and ophthalmology.

Ophthalmic surgical assistant vs ophthalmic assistant overview

Ophthalmic Surgical AssistantOphthalmic Assistant
Yearly salary$44,057$43,217
Hourly rate$21.18$20.78
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs27,12821,559
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age4341
Years of experience22

Ophthalmic surgical assistant vs ophthalmic assistant salary

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

Ophthalmic Surgical AssistantOphthalmic Assistant
Average salary$44,057$43,217
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $63,000Between $30,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City-Vancouver, WA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Eye Consultants of Atlanta
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between ophthalmic surgical assistant and ophthalmic assistant education

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

Ophthalmic Surgical AssistantOphthalmic Assistant
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianMedical Assisting Services
Most common collegeDuke University-

Ophthalmic surgical assistant vs ophthalmic assistant demographics

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

Ophthalmic Surgical AssistantOphthalmic Assistant
Average age4341
Gender ratioMale, 11.0% Female, 89.0%Male, 13.1% Female, 86.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 9.3% White, 54.7% 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 Percentage10%6%

Differences between ophthalmic surgical assistant and ophthalmic assistant duties and responsibilities

Ophthalmic surgical assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage surgical scheduling, cataract evaluations, ultrasounds, keratometry, IOL selection, and preoperative exam for surgery.
  • Perform surgical consultations and coordinate patients for surgery by scheduling with appropriate facilities.
  • Enhance quality of service and increase productivity by effectively counseling patients on elective refractive procedures.
  • 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 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

Ophthalmic surgical assistant vs ophthalmic assistant skills

Common ophthalmic surgical assistant skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • IOL, 10%
  • Patient History, 8%
  • Surgical Procedures, 7%
  • Visual Acuity, 5%
  • Visual Fields, 5%
Common ophthalmic assistant skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Ophthalmology, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Color Vision, 5%
  • Triage, 4%

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