Ophthalmic Assisting is a career that offers prestige, job security, excellent compensation, opportunities for advancement, and opportunity to help others.   Return to Technology Home Page
What are they? Ophthalmic assistants perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to people of all ages including young children and elderly, under the direction and supervision of an ophthalmologist in private and group practice, clinics, and medical centers with salaries averaging $17 – 20,000. According to JCAHPO, the demand for ophthalmology assistants exceeds the number of students who obtain certification each year. Job opportunities are advertised in all major cities of the United States.		Refractometry using phoropter: Measures patient’s need for optical aid to obtain maximal visual acuity potential

Lensometer - Measures optical power of glasses or contact lenses

Ophthalmic medical assistants perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures under the direction and supervision of an ophthalmologist in private practice, group practice, clinics and medical centers. Ophthalmic medical assistants provide the following services: Patient care and ophthalmic emergency triage, ophthalmic office management and insurance coding, medical history taking, preliminary exam and work up, measuring visual acuity, visual fields and sensory motor functions, glaucoma testing/screening, refractometry, lensometry, assisting with minor office surgery, patient education in the care and use of contact lenses, administration of ophthalmic medications, and maintenance of ophthalmic equipment and instruments.

Course Eligibility
Sophomore medical assisting student at Stark State College or graduates
Of a CAAHEP accredited medical assisting program.

JCAHPO Exam eligibility for certification at the assistant level when completing an accredited Ophthalmic Assistant program are:

• Graduated from a CoA-OMP approved Ophthalmic Assistant program within 36 months prior to submitting your exam application. If you completed the program more than 36 months ago, you will need 18 JCAHPO Group A credits earned within the past 24 months.
• Current certification in CPR.
• Worked at least 2,000 hours (one full-time equivalent) under ophthalmological supervision.

Ophthalmology Technical Electives

• Ophthalmology I MAT228
• Ophthalmology II MAT229
• Supervised Clinical Experience

For more information contact:

Gerry Todaro, Program Director
330-966-5458
Ext. 4206