Post job

Ophthalmic technician vs ophthalmology surgical technician

The differences between ophthalmic technicians and ophthalmology surgical technicians 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 technician and an ophthalmology surgical technician. Additionally, an ophthalmic technician has an average salary of $44,042, which is higher than the $43,454 average annual salary of an ophthalmology surgical technician.

The top three skills for an ophthalmic technician include patients, patient care and ophthalmology. The most important skills for an ophthalmology surgical technician are patients, field testing, and visual fields.

Ophthalmic technician vs ophthalmology surgical technician overview

Ophthalmic TechnicianOphthalmology Surgical Technician
Yearly salary$44,042$43,454
Hourly rate$21.17$20.89
Growth rate16%16%
Number of jobs19,06333,527
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age4141
Years of experience22

Ophthalmic technician vs ophthalmology surgical technician salary

Ophthalmic technicians and ophthalmology surgical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Ophthalmic TechnicianOphthalmology Surgical Technician
Average salary$44,042$43,454
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $62,000Between $29,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CityPortland, OR-
Highest paying stateOregon-
Best paying companyEye Consultants of Atlanta-
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between ophthalmic technician and ophthalmology surgical technician education

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

Ophthalmic TechnicianOphthalmology Surgical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common majorBiologyMedical Assisting Services
Most common college--

Ophthalmic technician vs ophthalmology surgical technician demographics

Here are the differences between ophthalmic technicians' and ophthalmology surgical technicians' demographics:

Ophthalmic TechnicianOphthalmology Surgical Technician
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 16.8% Female, 83.2%Male, 20.2% Female, 79.8%
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 technician and ophthalmology surgical technician duties and responsibilities

Ophthalmic technician example responsibilities.

  • Conduct computerized pre-test on patients including auto-refraction, automate visual field screenings and visual acuity.
  • Sterilize and set-up instruments for ophthalmic surgical procedures, assist with minor office surgery and laser treatments.
  • Perform vision examination; administer eye drops; obtain eye pressure using tonopen applanation.
  • Assist ophthalmologists in scribing during patient exams, retinoscopy, lensometry, laser therapy, and fluorescein angiograms.
  • Conduct several tests on patients including visual field tests, OCT, HRT, corneal pachymetry, dilation, etc.
  • Test patients for glaucoma using the necessary equipment and procedures
  • Show more

Ophthalmology surgical technician example responsibilities.

  • Work daily with EHR, manual keratomerty, topography, pachymetry, visual field testing, macular OCT, and CCT.
  • Perform optical examinations obtaining patients chief complaints, demographic information and medical history.
  • Document medications, record allergies.
  • Discuss IOL options with patient.
  • Provide review/grammar correction of medical chart dictations for the doctor in the ophthalmology department.
  • Assist ophthalmologists in ophthalmic surgery, observe patients under anesthesia by using various health monitoring equipment.
  • Show more

Ophthalmic technician vs ophthalmology surgical technician skills

Common ophthalmic technician skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Ophthalmology, 5%
  • Visual Acuity, 5%
  • Visual Fields, 4%
  • Surgery, 4%
Common ophthalmology surgical technician skills
  • Patients, 31%
  • Field Testing, 7%
  • Visual Fields, 5%
  • Surgical Procedures, 5%
  • Visual Acuity, 4%
  • Diagnostic Tests, 4%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs