Career and Job roles after Diploma in Ophthalmic Technology Course

The diploma in ophthalmic technology students can find ample job opportunities especially in eye care areas. There is a good demand for skilled professionals especially in eye protection. They are largely hired in eye hospitals, optician shops, lens factories and many more. There are also a good number of job roles available for diploma in ophthalmic technology students.

The present article tries to explain a few important roles available for diploma in ophthalmic technology students.

Optometrist

The Optometrist is the independent primary health care provider who performs the primary diagnosis for eye disorders. They specialize in eye care and visual health but are not medical professionals.

Role of Optometrist

The main focus of optometrist is basically on regular vision check-ups and prescribing the relevant powered glasses for the patients. They perform eye check-ups using the equipment and judge the exact power for the patients and prescribe the same power for them. They are also responsible to perform free eye tests to the underprivileged along with the associations of the hospitals and NGOs.

Responsibilities of the Optometrist

As an Optometrist one is responsible to

• Speak to patients to get detailed information about the patient’s case studies
• Examine the patient’s eyes to detect vision defects and signs of injury, disease or abnormality
• Manage and monitor some eye conditions, either autonomously or alongside other healthcare professionals
• Detect signs and symptoms of general health, conditions such as diabetes
• Fit spectacles or contact lenses
• Discuss vision-related matters with patients and offer advice and reassurance
• Offer help and advice to patients when choosing frames and lenses
• Coordinate with and write referral letters to doctors and other optometrists with higher qualifications
• Meet sales targets with regard to selling spectacles or contact lenses
• Manage and train staff including other optometrists, dispensing opticians and optical assistants
• Manage the retail aspects of spectacles, contact lenses and other vision care products
• Administer, organise and plan the development of the practice
• Coordinate with sales representatives from vision care product supplies
• Own or manage a practice
• Manage and prescribe medicines for people with eye conditions

Salary Packages

The average diploma in ophthalmic technology fresher will be earning around 2.5 lakhs to 3.5 lakhs per annum as optometrists. The experienced professionals will be earning around 3.5 lakhs to 4.5 lakhs per annum. The salary varies according to recruiters. Some may pay high while some may pay less. 

Optician

The opticians suggest the glasses and lenses to the patients according to the prescription given by the optometrist and ophthalmologist. 

Role of the Opticians

The opticians work in optical manufacturing companies and optical shops. Their main role is to prepare the glasses and spectacles according to the prescribed powers. They have to calibrate the glasses and lenses for exact powers and deliver to the patients. The opticians along with the eye hospitals and NGOs will sometimes take part in free eye check-up camps in the villages.

Responsibilities of Opticians

As an optician one is responsible to:

• Interpret optical prescriptions written by optometrists or ophthalmologists
• Give advice to patients on lens type, frames and styling and spectacle repair
• Fit contact lenses and give advice on their care and use
• Take frame and facial measurements to ensure correct frame fit and positioning
• Advice partially sighted patients on the use of low vision aids
• Advice patients when adjustments or repairs to spectacles are needed
• Select, manage and order range of optical products
• Order lenses from prescription laboratories
• Check lenses on delivery to ensure that they meet the required specifications
• Arrange and maintain displays
• Coordinate with sales representatives from product suppliers
• Supervise and train student dispensing opticians

Salary Packages

The average diploma in ophthalmic technology fresher will be earning around 1.5 lakhs to 2.5 lakhs per annum as opticians. The experienced professionals will be earning around 2.5 lakhs to 3.5 lakhs per annum. The salary varies according to recruiters. Some may pay high while some may pay less. 

Optical Assistant

The main job role of the optical assistant is to perform the quality assurance tests on the optical products especially the spectacles and contact lenses. 

Role of Optical Assistants

The optical assistants are required to measure the exact refractive index, optical dimensions of the lenses, power of the lenses and many more. They are usually seen working in optical instrument manufacturing companies, spectacles and lens making companies, optical shops, etc.

Responsibilities of Optical Assistants

As an optical assistant one is responsible to

• Greeting customers, answering questions and obtaining preliminary patient histories
• Performing administrative duties, such as filling insurance claims performing bookkeeping and managing inventory
• Preparing patients for vision examinations such as administering eye drops and seating patients at eye testing machines
• Assisting with vision examinations such as taking visual acuity measurements
• Assisting customers with frame selections
• Working with patients in vision therapy and educating on proper eye and contact lens care
• Adjusting and repairing frames and modifying contact lenses

Salary Packages

The average diploma in ophthalmic technology fresher will be earning around 1 lakh to 2 lakhs per annum as optical assistants. The experienced professionals will be earning around 2 lakhs to 3 lakhs per annum. The salary varies according to recruiters. Some may pay high while some may pay less. 

Ophthalmic Assistant

The ophthalmic assistants are mainly hired in the eye hospitals, eye clinics, multi-speciality hospitals, nursing homes, eye care centres, etc. 

Role of Ophthalmic Assistant

They are responsible to assist the eye surgeons in the eye surgeries. They are required to calibrate the surgical instruments; they are required to administer the local anaesthesia to the patients undergoing eye surgery. They are also necessary to closely monitor the healing process after eye surgery in the patients. They are also responsible to procure the required items for the eye surgery.

Responsibilities of the Ophthalmic Assistants

As an ophthalmic assistant one is responsible to:

• Review the patient's chart to ensure completeness and accuracy of information.
• Perform testing required by type of exam schedules, patient complaint and history
• Acts as scribe while physician examines patient entering data into electronic medical records
• To take ocular and systemic history and accurately record visual acuity
• To perform lensometry, refractometry, applanation tonometry, basic muscle balance testing, assess pupils. Assess the anterior chamber, confrontation visual fields and gross external exam, administer diagnostic tests
• Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medication under the direction of physician
• Assists with in-office procedures ensuring proper informed consent is obtained, set up and clean up from procedures
• Perform advanced ophthalmic procedures
• Assist in training of other ophthalmic assistants
• Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of exam rooms during the workday
• Complies with all practice procedures and safety protocols
• Maintain safety and hygiene in the examination room
• Sterilise all the equipments used for eye examination

Salary Packages

The average diploma in ophthalmic technology fresher will be earning around 1.5 lakhs to 2.5 lakhs per annum as ophthalmic assistants. The experienced professionals will be earning around 2.5 lakhs to 3.5 lakhs per annum. The salary varies according to recruiters. Some may pay high while some may pay less. 

Conclusion 

The demand for the diploma in ophthalmic technology students has gained importance in the last decade. The changed lifestyle of the people has created a room for many job opportunities for skilled diploma in ophthalmic technology students. The increased usage of the televisions, laptops, mobiles has resulted in the development of the many eye disorders at a very young age.

This has increased to eye hospitals and eye clinics. The demand for skilled professionals is increasing day by day. The students who are passionate about eye care and vision care can choose to pursue a diploma in ophthalmic technology. 

The course helps them to land in lucrative jobs in the field of eye care and vision care and also the sectors allied to it. There is a fair amount of demand for the diploma in ophthalmic technology students in the medical field especially in the field of ophthalmology.