HealthcareO*NET: 29-2099.05
Will AI Replace Ophthalmic Medical Technologists?
Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.
52out of 100
Medium Risk
AI Risk Score
52/100
Risk Level
Medium
Job Zone
3/5
Medium
Total Tasks Analyzed
29
🤖 What AI Can Do
- â–¸Take and document patients' medical histories.
- â–¸Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
- â–¸Calculate corrections for refractive errors.
- â–¸Collect ophthalmic measurements or other diagnostic information, using ultrasound equipment, such as A-scan ultrasound biometry or B-scan ultrasonography equipment.
- â–¸Measure the thickness of the retinal nerve, using scanning laser polarimetry techniques to aid in diagnosis of glaucoma.
- â–¸Photograph patients' eye areas, using clinical photography techniques, to document retinal or corneal defects.
👤 What Requires Humans
- â–¸Perform ophthalmic triage, in the office or by phone, to assess severity of patients' conditions.
- â–¸Supervise or instruct ophthalmic staff.
- â–¸Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.
- â–¸Perform fluorescein angiography of the eye.
- â–¸Perform advanced ophthalmic procedures, including electrophysiological, electrophysical, or microbial procedures.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (6)
- Take and document patients' medical histories.
- Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
- Calculate corrections for refractive errors.
- Collect ophthalmic measurements or other diagnostic information, using ultrasound equipment, such as A-scan ultrasound biometry or B-scan ultrasonography equipment.
- Measure the thickness of the retinal nerve, using scanning laser polarimetry techniques to aid in diagnosis of glaucoma.
- Photograph patients' eye areas, using clinical photography techniques, to document retinal or corneal defects.
👤Requires Humans (5)
- Perform ophthalmic triage, in the office or by phone, to assess severity of patients' conditions.
- Supervise or instruct ophthalmic staff.
- Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.
- Perform fluorescein angiography of the eye.
- Perform advanced ophthalmic procedures, including electrophysiological, electrophysical, or microbial procedures.
âš¡AI-Assisted (18)
- Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.
- Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements, such as axial length measurements, of the eye or surrounding tissue.
- Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.
- Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
- Clean or sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments.
- Educate patients on ophthalmic medical procedures, conditions of the eye, and appropriate use of medications.
- Conduct ocular motility tests to measure function of eye muscles.
- Assess refractive condition of eyes, using retinoscope.
Key Skills Analysis
Active Listening
Importance: 3.88/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.88/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.62/5.00
Service OrientationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.12/5.00
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.12/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
InstructingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Learning Strategies
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Ophthalmic Medical Technologists have a medium risk of AI replacement with a score of 52/100. While some tasks can be assisted by AI, the core responsibilities require human judgment and skills.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research