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Optometrist vs ophthalmology surgical technician

The differences between optometrists and ophthalmology surgical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an optometrist has an average salary of $187,654, which is higher than the $43,454 average annual salary of an ophthalmology surgical technician.

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

Optometrist vs ophthalmology surgical technician overview

OptometristOphthalmology Surgical Technician
Yearly salary$187,654$43,454
Hourly rate$90.22$20.89
Growth rate10%16%
Number of jobs20,99333,527
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age4541
Years of experience-2

Optometrist vs ophthalmology surgical technician salary

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

OptometristOphthalmology Surgical Technician
Average salary$187,654$43,454
Salary rangeBetween $94,000 And $373,000Between $29,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CityGreensboro, NC-
Highest paying stateNorth Carolina-
Best paying companyMayo Clinic-
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between optometrist and ophthalmology surgical technician education

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

OptometristOphthalmology Surgical Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common majorOptometryMedical Assisting Services
Most common collegeUniversity of California, Berkeley-

Optometrist vs ophthalmology surgical technician demographics

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

OptometristOphthalmology Surgical Technician
Average age4541
Gender ratioMale, 25.9% Female, 74.1%Male, 20.2% Female, 79.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 1.4% Unknown, 3.0% Hispanic or Latino, 5.2% Asian, 17.1% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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 Percentage18%6%

Differences between optometrist and ophthalmology surgical technician duties and responsibilities

Optometrist example responsibilities.

  • Experience in OCT, visual fields, and EMR.
  • View cataracts in live patients and compare to class examples.
  • Work closely with the LASIK and cataract surgeons to provide comprehensive care to patients.
  • Perform eye exams and care for all patients including pre op and post operative care.
  • Specialize in anterior segment surgery, cataract, glaucoma, retinal problems, and ocular oncology.
  • Create statistical reports with pre and post topography conditions and visual acuity results in IOL implant surgery.
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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.
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Optometrist vs ophthalmology surgical technician skills

Common optometrist skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Patient Care, 13%
  • Diagnosis, 13%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Diagnostic Tests, 7%
  • Pre, 6%
Common ophthalmology surgical technician skills
  • Patients, 31%
  • Field Testing, 7%
  • Visual Fields, 5%
  • Surgical Procedures, 5%
  • Visual Acuity, 4%
  • Diagnostic Tests, 4%

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