Educational Programs Certificate Miami-Dade College Traviss Career Center William T. McFatter Vocational Center Associate Degree Miami-Dade College Professional Associations American Optometric Association Florida Optometric Association

Optometric assistants and optometric technicians perform a variety of tasks to allow the optometrists more time to devote to patient care. They often prepare patients for tests.

Assistants and technicians may put drops in the patient's eyes and/or seat the patient at the eye testing machines. They administer eye exercises and treatments to patients under the supervision of the optometrists. In some offices optometric assistants/technicians help people choose frames for their glasses and adjust them for proper fit. They also do clerical work such as bookkeeping, scheduling appointments, filing, and maintaining medical records.

Work Environment
Most optometric assistants/technicians work in modern, well-lighted offices and laboratories. Some work in health clinics or for government agencies. Still others may be employed by optical instrument companies. Work hours vary, but are usually about 40 hours a week including some evening and Saturday work.

Job Outlook
The employment outlook is excellent, as more optometrists are using assistants/technicians and the demand for eye care is growing.

Length of Training/Requirements
Optometric assistants may be trained on-the-job by optometrists. Formal training programs are one-year certificate programs for both assistants and technicians. Training generally includes visual testing, dispensing, front office skills, lens fabrication, contact lens modification, anatomy, and physiology.

Advancement
An assistant/technician may learn a specialty by training with an optometrist who specializes in a field of study, such as contact lenses or vision therapy.

Licensure/Certification
Optometric assistants/technicians may take the registration examination offered by the National Paraoptometric Registry. Upon successful completion of the exam, assistants will be granted the title of Registered Optometric Assistants (Opt. A., R.). Technicians will be given the title of Registered Optometric Technicians (Opt. T., R.).

Salary
The average hourly wage of vision care technicians ranged from $12-$20 in 2005.