vision care
Certified Ophthalmic Technician
To be a successful Certified Ophthalmic Technician you should...
enjoy working with people, have excellent communication skills, be able to work in low-light conditions.
What will my job be like?
COTs work under the supervision and direction of an ophthalmologist. They are trained to measure visual acuity, instill ocular medications, obtain patient history, perform refractions, instruct paitents regarding medications, tests and procedures, measure intraocular pressure, neutralize spectacle lenses, measure corneal curvature, coordinate patient flow, measure and compare and test pupils.
Where could I work?
COTs work primarily in ophthalmologists’ offices or clinics.
Average Annual Salary
$42,000 per year
What is the future of this career?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t provide data specifically for ophthalmic assistants, but it does have data for all medical assistants. The BLS notes that employment opportunities for all of these assistants regardless of specialty were expected to increase 6-8 percent from 2023-2033, which is faster than average.
Type of Education/Training
An individual can become a COT by completing an accredited formal training program, as a certified as a COA (Certified Ophthalmic Assistant) or certified orthoptist and work experience,
Where could I get the education/training?
- CT State Asnuntuck
- CT State Housatonic
Licensing/Certification
Licensure is not required in Connecticut.
More Information
International Joint Commission of Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology
2025 Wodlane Drive
St. Paul, MN 55125
651-731-2944
