According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure. | 99% |
| Take and document patients' medical histories. | 98% |
| Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements, such as axial length measurements, of the eye or surrounding tissue. | 95% |
| Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests. | 94% |
| Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications. | 93% |
| Perform slit lamp biomicroscopy procedures to diagnose disorders of the eye, such as retinitis, presbyopia, cataracts, or retinal detachment. | 92% |
| Measure and record lens power, using lensometers. | 91% |
| Calculate corrections for refractive errors. | 91% |
| Perform ophthalmic triage, in the office or by phone, to assess severity of patients' conditions. | 89% |
| Collect ophthalmic measurements or other diagnostic information, using ultrasound equipment, such as A-scan ultrasound biometry or B-scan ultrasonography equipment. | 89% |
| Clean or sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments. | 89% |
| Educate patients on ophthalmic medical procedures, conditions of the eye, and appropriate use of medications. | 88% |
| Conduct ocular motility tests to measure function of eye muscles. | 86% |
| Assess refractive condition of eyes, using retinoscope. | 85% |
| Create three-dimensional images of the eye, using computed tomography (CT). | 84% |
| Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision. | 84% |
| Measure corneal thickness, using pachymeter or contact ultrasound methods. | 83% |
| Measure corneal curvature with keratometers or ophthalmometers to aid in the diagnosis of conditions, such as astigmatism. | 83% |
| Measure the thickness of the retinal nerve, using scanning laser polarimetry techniques to aid in diagnosis of glaucoma. | 82% |
| Supervise or instruct ophthalmic staff. | 82% |
| Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery. | 82% |
| Perform fluorescein angiography of the eye. | 81% |
| Photograph patients' eye areas, using clinical photography techniques, to document retinal or corneal defects. | 80% |
| Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment. | 79% |
| Conduct tests, such as the Amsler Grid test, to measure central visual field used in the early diagnosis of macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diseases of the eye. | 78% |
| Conduct binocular disparity tests to assess depth perception. | 73% |
| Assess abnormalities of color vision, such as amblyopia. | 72% |
| Call patients to inquire about their post-operative status or recovery. | 71% |
| Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses. | 70% |
| Conduct low vision blindness tests. | 70% |
| Perform advanced ophthalmic procedures, including electrophysiological, electrophysical, or microbial procedures. | 66% |
