Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.
U.S. Workers
174,060
Median Salary
$48,790
10-Year Growth
+5.2%
Annual Openings
13,600
Typical entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
28 of 29 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.
Take and document patients' medical histories.
AI: Fully automatable - AI-driven conversational agents and documentation tools can reliably collect, structure, and record patients' medical histories in routine clinical contexts.
Calculate corrections for refractive errors.
AI: Fully automatable - Calculating refractive-error corrections is a deterministic, algorithmic task that can be fully automated with high accuracy by software.
Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision.
AI: Fully automatable - Automated perimetry devices already conduct visual field testing and AI can administer the test and analyze results end-to-end in many clinical settings.
Measure the thickness of the retinal nerve, using scanning laser polarimetry techniques to aid in diagnosis of glaucoma.
AI: Fully automatable - Software and AI already compute and interpret retinal nerve fiber layer thickness from scanning laser/OCT scans, so measurement and analysis can be fully automated.
Create three-dimensional images of the eye, using computed tomography (CT).
AI: Fully automatable - Given a CT dataset, AI-based reconstruction and post‑processing pipelines can fully generate high‑quality three‑dimensional images of the eye without manual intervention.
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.
AI: Fully automatable - AI‑driven apps and devices can administer Amsler‑grid style tests or digital central visual field assessments and interpret patient responses, allowing full automation of the test and its analysis.
Conduct ocular motility tests to measure function of eye muscles.
AI: Fully automatable - Automated eye‑tracking systems and AI algorithms can administer, quantify, and interpret ocular motility tests end‑to‑end in many clinical contexts, enabling full automation of measurement and analysis.
Call patients to inquire about their post-operative status or recovery.
AI: Fully automatable - Automated voice and messaging systems powered by AI can routinely call or message patients, collect standardized post‑operative data, and escalate concerns to clinicians without human callers in most cases.
Conduct binocular disparity tests to assess depth perception.
AI: Fully automatable - Binocular disparity/depth‑perception tests can be delivered digitally or with automated devices and scored by AI with comparable reliability to manual testing for most routine assessments.
Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses.
AI: Fully automatable - Instruction in contact lens care and use can be fully delivered via AI-driven multimedia, interactive coaching, and tailored reminders with high effectiveness for routine education.
Conduct low vision blindness tests.
AI: Fully automatable - Low‑vision and blindness assessment tasks (visual function tests, questionnaires, and objective measures) can be administered and interpreted by AI tools to provide actionable results.
Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.
AI: Partial - Many tonometry/tonography devices can auto-acquire IOP readings and AI can assist with positioning and interpretation, but probe handling, patient contact, and clinical oversight still require human operators.
Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.
AI: Partial - Digital charts, apps, and AI can administer and score many visual acuity tests, but variable patient factors and certain dynamic or clinical-quality assessments still need human supervision.
Collect ophthalmic measurements or other diagnostic information, using ultrasound equipment, such as A-scan ultrasound biometry or B-scan ultrasonography equipment.
AI: Partial - AI can assist with ultrasound image interpretation and semi-automated acquisition, but skilled probe placement and real-time operator adjustments for A-scan/B-scan remain necessary.
Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements, such as axial length measurements, of the eye or surrounding tissue.
AI: Partial - Optical biometers largely automate axial-length and other ocular measurements and AI can process results, yet patient alignment, repeat acquisitions, and troubleshooting still require a human operator.
Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
AI: Partial - Lensometers can automatically measure and log lens power, but manual placement and handling of spectacle lenses typically still require a human, so AI can only partially automate the task.
Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment.
AI: Partial - AI can aid routine monitoring, calibration scheduling, and predictive maintenance, but hands-on cleaning, calibration verification, and repairs still need human technicians.
Perform slit lamp biomicroscopy procedures to diagnose disorders of the eye, such as retinitis, presbyopia, cataracts, or retinal detachment.
AI: Partial - AI can analyze slit‑lamp images for diagnostic patterns but cannot reliably perform the physical slit‑lamp examination and patient interaction autonomously in typical clinical settings as of 2025.
Measure corneal thickness, using pachymeter or contact ultrasound methods.
AI: Partial - AI can compute and interpret corneal thickness from device outputs or imaging, but cannot reliably perform contact pachymetry probe placement and manual aspects of the procedure autonomously.
Measure corneal curvature with keratometers or ophthalmometers to aid in the diagnosis of conditions, such as astigmatism.
AI: Partial - AI can derive and interpret corneal curvature from keratometry data or images, but the physical instrument alignment and measurement acquisition still typically require human operation.
Photograph patients' eye areas, using clinical photography techniques, to document retinal or corneal defects.
AI: Partial - AI can automate camera settings, quality control, and image analysis for ophthalmic photography but generally cannot physically position and handle patients to take the photos without robotic hardware.
Assess refractive condition of eyes, using retinoscope.
AI: Partial - AI and autorefractors can determine refractive error and assist interpretation, yet AI cannot fully replicate the manual maneuvers and nuanced clinician judgment involved in retinoscopy in all cases.
Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.
AI: Partial - AI can provide planning, image guidance, and robotic assistance for ophthalmic procedures, but cannot reliably replace human assistance or perform most ophthalmic surgeries autonomously as of 2025.
Clean or sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments.
AI: Partial - AI can monitor and control sterilization equipment and workflows, but the manual cleaning/handling of ophthalmic instruments and sterile setup in many settings is not fully automatable by AI alone.
Supervise or instruct ophthalmic staff.
AI: Partial - AI can provide training, protocols, and decision support for supervising or instructing staff but cannot replace human leadership, clinical judgment, and responsibility for supervision.
Perform fluorescein angiography of the eye.
AI: Partial - AI can assist with image acquisition parameters and automated analysis for fluorescein angiography, but the procedure requires hands-on injection, patient monitoring, and operator oversight that AI alone cannot fully perform.
Assess abnormalities of color vision, such as amblyopia.
AI: Partial - Automated digital tests and algorithms can screen for color vision defects and flag signs of amblyopia, but definitive clinical assessment and nuanced diagnosis still require a clinician.
Perform advanced ophthalmic procedures, including electrophysiological, electrophysical, or microbial procedures.
AI: Partial - AI can automate and assist many electrophysiological measurements and lab workflows, but advanced invasive, sterile, or microbiological procedures still require skilled human operators and oversight.
Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
AI: Not automatable - Administering topical or oral medications requires physical administration, monitoring for reactions, and regulated clinical authority, so AI cannot perform this task autonomously.