Optometric Assistant
An optometric assistant, also known as a paraoptometric professional, plays a vital role in supporting optometrists by assisting with patient care and managing various office tasks. They perform essential duties such as conducting vision tests, interviewing patients about their health history, and assisting with vision therapy as directed by the supervising optometrist. Optometric assistants also help patients select eyeglass frames, measure for fit, and provide guidance on eye care practices.
Typically employed in eye care settings like optical stores, medical offices, and hospitals, these professionals work in a clean and organized environment. The job generally requires around forty hours per week, with some evening and weekend hours. Candidates for this role often possess strong customer service skills and demonstrate attention to detail, effective time management, and compassion for patients. Education requirements typically include a postsecondary nondegree award in a relevant field, and individuals can advance in their careers through specialized training and experience. The field is experiencing significant growth, with a projected 14% increase in employment opportunities.
Optometric Assistant
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Business, Management & Administration, Health Science
Interests: Ophthalmology, patient care, customer service, medical assisting, recordkeeping
Earnings (Yearly Average): $42,000 per year $20.19 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 14% (Much faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Postsecondary nondegree award
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Optometric assistants, also called paraoptometric professionals, assist and support optometrists with patient care, office work, exams, therapy, and frame fitting. Optometric assistants interact directly with patients. In particular, optometric assistants perform vision tests, interview patients, and provide vision therapy as directed by the supervising optometrist. They also measure patients for eyeglass fit and shape, help them select eyeglass frames, and teach them about proper eye care and eye exercises. Optometric assistants may also perform clerical duties, such as scheduling, billing, and recordkeeping, as required.
Work Environment. Optometric assistants spend their workdays in eye doctors’ offices, optical stores, hospitals, and lens-crafting businesses. Optical stores, medical offices, and other places of business tend to be sanitary, temperature-controlled and well-ventilated. Optometric assistants generally work forty hours weekly, depending on patient needs or office schedule. Evening and weekend hours are commonly required for optometric assistants working in optical stores and lens-crafting businesses.
Occupation Interest. Individuals drawn to the profession of optometric assistant tend to be intelligent and detail-oriented people who enjoy interacting with others. Those most successful optometric assistants demonstrate competence, approachability, good eyesight, tact, stamina, and effective time management. Optometric assistants should enjoy optometric work and have a strong customer service or patient care background.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The specific daily occupational duties and responsibilities of optometric assistants are determined by the individual’s area of job specialization and work environment. Areas of optometric assistant job specialization include contact lens fitting, vision therapy, vision exam support or assistance, optical dispensing, or clerical support.
Throughout the workday, optometric assistants typically greet customers, interview patients about their eye health and general health histories, dilate their eyes, perform vision tests, and inspect the health of their eyes and corneas. They may also provide vision therapy as directed by the supervising optometrist and teach patients about proper eye care and eye exercises. After completing the medical check-up portion of the visit, an optometric assistant reviews the customer’s eyeglass prescription specifications prepared by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. They then measure the customer for eyeglasses to determine where eyeglasses should fit on the face, help the customer choose eyeglass frames based on head shape, appearance, color, style, and lens prescription, and may recommend lens coatings, tints, and sun protection measures.
When the finished eyeglasses or contact lenses arrive, optometric assistants inspect all vision products for quality, distribute finished eyeglasses and contact lenses to customers, and make final adjustments in eyeglass fit. The optometric assistant may also instruct customers on how to care for their new or repaired eyeglasses, insert and remove contact lenses, and complete minor repairs to eyeglass frames, including replacing nose or ear cushioning.
All optometric assistants are responsible for performing maintenance and clerical tasks. Maintenance tasks include continuously setting up and cleaning all optical equipment, materials, and display areas. Clerical duties involve documenting transactions in customer and store records, tracking store or office inventory, completing insurance and billing forms, scheduling appointments, and bookkeeping.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. The primary physical environment of an optometric assistant may vary based on employer and specialization. Optometric assistants typically spend their workdays in medical and commercial settings in eye doctor’s offices, vision centers, hospitals, lens crafting businesses, and educational facilities.
Human Environment. Optometric assistants interact with customers, optometrists, ophthalmologists, office staff, store managers, dispensing opticians, and laboratory technicians.
Technological Environment. Optometric assistants use various technology and equipment to complete their work. Their tools include eye-testing machines, calipers, magnifying glasses, polishing cloths, hex wrenches, ophthalmic lensometers, contact lens thickness gauges, and lens analyzers. In addition, optometric assistants should be comfortable using computers, Internet communication tools, spreadsheets, telephones, copiers, and medical and optical imaging software.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing a career as an optometric assistant should study biology, chemistry, anatomy, mathematics, typing, and bookkeeping. Internships or part-time jobs that expose interested students to eye doctor’s offices, vision centers, or optical laboratories can help students gain practical experience.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary students interested in becoming optometric assistants should earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in paraoptometrics, opticianry, optical science, or a related field. The American Optometric Association has accredited several paraoptometric training programs in the United States. Postsecondary students can gain work experience that will benefit them in future job searches by obtaining internships or part-time employment in eye doctor’s offices, vision centers, or optical laboratories.
Related Occupations
− Optician
Bibliography
“Medical Assistants.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
“Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 29-2057 Ophthalmic Medical Technicians.” Occupational Employment Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292057.htm. Accessed 28 Sept. 2023.
"What's the Job Description of an Optometric Technician?" Learn.org, learn.org/articles/Whats‗the‗Job‗Description‗of‗an‗Optometric‗Technician.html. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.