Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions. May administer eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct the patient in care and use of corrective lenses.
U.S. Workers
76,520
Median Salary
$44,080
10-Year Growth
+19.8%
Annual Openings
12,500
Typical entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
20 of 20 tasks have some AI capability
Exposure Trend
This score reflects estimated AI technical capability for tasks in this occupation. It does not predict employment changes, and it does not account for company-specific constraints, regulation, or adoption barriers.
Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.
AI: Fully automatable - Automated tonometers and instrumented protocols combined with AI for positioning and quality checks can reliably perform tonometry/tonography tests in clinical settings.
Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.
AI: Fully automatable - Digital visual acuity charts, adaptive testing algorithms, and eye-tracking can administer and score near, distance, pinhole, and dynamic acuity tests automatically.
Take and document patients' medical histories.
AI: Fully automatable - Conversational AI and EHR-integrated tools can take structured medical histories and document them accurately without human intervention in routine cases.
Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision.
AI: Fully automatable - Automated perimetry devices and software already conduct visual field testing with AI-enabled quality control and interpretation in routine practice.
Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements of the eye or surrounding tissue, such as axial length measurements.
AI: Fully automatable - Automated biometry devices and image-analysis software can capture and compute anatomical and functional ocular measurements like axial length without manual measurement input.
Measure corneal curvature with keratometers or ophthalmometers to aid in the diagnosis of conditions, such as astigmatism.
AI: Fully automatable - Automated keratometers/ophthalmometers integrated with software can measure corneal curvature and identify astigmatism, enabling full automation of this measurement.
Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
AI: Fully automatable - Automated lensometers and digital recording systems can measure and log lens power without manual intervention, allowing full automation.
Conduct ocular motility tests to measure function of eye muscles.
AI: Fully automatable - AI-driven eye-tracking systems can administer and analyze ocular motility tests end-to-end, enabling fully automated assessment of eye muscle function in many settings.
Conduct binocular disparity tests to assess depth perception.
AI: Fully automatable - Binocular disparity and depth-perception tests can be administered, scored, and interpreted by software (including VR/AR systems), so AI can fully conduct these assessments.
Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can deliver standardized instruction, demonstrations, reminders and personalized guidance for contact lens care and use, effectively fully automating patient instruction.
Call patients to inquire about their post-operative status or recovery.
AI: Fully automatable - AI-driven call systems and chatbots can reliably conduct postoperative check-ins, collect symptom information, and escalate concerning responses to clinicians.
Assist patients to select eyewear.
AI: Fully automatable - AI virtual try-on, face-shape analysis, prescription compatibility checks, and style recommendation engines can fully assist patients in selecting eyewear.
Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
AI: Partial - AI can manage dosing, reminders, and automated dispensing but physically administering topical ophthalmic or oral medications to diverse patients typically still requires human hands and clinical oversight.
Operate ophthalmic equipment, such as autorefractors, phoropters, tomographs, or retinoscopes.
AI: Partial - Many ophthalmic instruments have automated interfaces and AI/robotic alignment aids, but human operators are still commonly required for setup, patient positioning, and clinical oversight.
Clean or sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments.
AI: Partial - Sterilization workflows can be automated (e.g., instrument washers/autoclaves) and AI can manage scheduling and quality control, but physical cleaning, handling and final validation generally remain human tasks.
Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.
AI: Partial - AI can provide real-time guidance, imaging augmentation, and limited robot-assisted motions, but cannot universally perform the variable, hands-on assistance surgeons need during ophthalmic procedures in 2025.
Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment.
AI: Partial - AI can monitor equipment, predict failures, and guide maintenance, but physical repairs, calibration adjustments and hands-on servicing still require skilled technicians.
Assess refractive conditions of eyes, using retinoscopes.
AI: Partial - AI and automated autorefractors can estimate refractive error and support interpretation, but cannot perform manual retinoscopy with a retinoscope and the required hands-on alignment.
Assist patients to insert or remove contact lenses.
AI: Partial - AI can provide step-by-step guidance, AR coaching, or remote instruction for lens insertion/removal, but cannot physically assist a patient to insert or remove lenses.
Adjust or make minor repairs to spectacles or eyeglasses.
AI: Partial - AI can diagnose issues and provide repair instructions, but cannot perform the hands-on adjustments or minor repairs to physical spectacles without robotic hardware.