Will ophthalmic medical technologists be replaced by AI?
Updated
Ophthalmic medical technologists score 29 of 100 for AI exposure. 72% of their task time still needs a person. AI can do 6% today and speed up another 22%.
- 6% AI can do it
- 22% AI helps
- 72% Needs a person
Low exposure
Lower than 64% of the 923 occupations we scored.
Task by task
We graded 31 tasks, listed here from most to least exposed. AI can do 2 of them today, speeds up 7 and leaves 22 to people.
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Call patients to inquire about their post-operative status or recovery. Routine recovery check calls suit AI voice agents well. | 65% AI can do it |
| Calculate corrections for refractive errors. Refraction math is routine software work that AI handles well. | 62% AI can do it |
| Educate patients on ophthalmic medical procedures, conditions of the eye, and appropriate use of medications. AI can draft education materials; live explanation stays with staff. | 60% AI helps |
| Take and document patients' medical histories. Patient interview and charting; AI scribes document much of it. | 55% AI helps |
| Perform ophthalmic triage, in the office or by phone, to assess severity of patients' conditions. AI can draft triage; clinical liability and judgment stay human. | 50% AI helps |
| Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses. Hands on lens insertion teaching; AI can supply written materials. | 30% AI helps |
| Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision. Patient runs automated field test; AI aids report interpretation only. | 25% AI helps |
| Photograph patients' eye areas, using clinical photography techniques, to document retinal or corneal defects. Live patient photography; AI helps sort and tag images. | 25% AI helps |
| Create three-dimensional images of the eye, using computed tomography (CT). CT scanner operation and 3D reconstruction; software does most. | 25% AI helps |
| Conduct low vision blindness tests. Low vision tests use in person magnifiers and functional tasks. | 20% Needs a person |
Show the other 21 tasks
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests. Patient reads charts in person; AI helps little with testing. | 18% Needs a person |
| Measure and record lens power, using lensometers. Lensometer readings are automated but glasses handling is manual. | 18% Needs a person |
| Supervise or instruct ophthalmic staff. Supervision and coaching rely on people skills and accountability. | 18% Needs a person |
| Measure the thickness of the retinal nerve, using scanning laser polarimetry techniques to aid in diagnosis of glaucoma. Scanning laser device needs patient fixation; AI assists image reading. | 18% Needs a person |
| 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. Patient self tests with grid; technician supervises in person. | 18% Needs a person |
| Assess abnormalities of color vision, such as amblyopia. Color plate tests are given in person; scoring is simple. | 18% Needs a person |
| Perform slit lamp biomicroscopy procedures to diagnose disorders of the eye, such as retinitis, presbyopia, cataracts, or retinal detachment. Live slit lamp exam; AI may help flag image findings. | 18% Needs a person |
| Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements, such as axial length measurements, of the eye or surrounding tissue. Hands on eye measurements; probe placement needs in person skill. | 15% Needs a person |
| Perform advanced ophthalmic procedures, including electrophysiological, electrophysical, or microbial procedures. Electrode tests and microbial sampling need hands on skill. | 15% Needs a person |
| Conduct ocular motility tests to measure function of eye muscles. Eye movement tests need a live patient and direct observation. | 14% Needs a person |
| Measure corneal curvature with keratometers or ophthalmometers to aid in the diagnosis of conditions, such as astigmatism. Automated keratometers do most work; technician positions the eye. | 14% Needs a person |
| Conduct binocular disparity tests to assess depth perception. Stereopsis tests are in person with patient cooperation. | 14% Needs a person |
| Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure. Procedure requires physical contact with the eye and skilled hands. | 12% Needs a person |
| Collect ophthalmic measurements or other diagnostic information, using ultrasound equipment, such as A-scan ultrasound biometry or B-scan ultrasonography equipment. Ultrasound probe scanning is hands on; AI adds little. | 12% Needs a person |
| Clean or sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments. Loading, cleaning and handling instruments is physical work. | 12% Needs a person |
| Perform fluorescein angiography of the eye. Dye injection and live imaging need hands on patient care. | 12% Needs a person |
| Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment. Physical repair, calibration and upkeep of equipment. | 12% Needs a person |
| Assess refractive condition of eyes, using retinoscope. Manual retinoscopy is a live skill performed on patients. | 10% Needs a person |
| Measure corneal thickness, using pachymeter or contact ultrasound methods. Pachymetry requires placing a probe on the cornea. | 10% Needs a person |
| Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications. Physically administering drops and oral medication to patients. | 5% Needs a person |
| Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery. Physical in room assistance during procedures and surgery. | 5% Needs a person |
How ophthalmic medical technologists compare
All occupations (923)
Healthcare practitioners and technical (89)
Pay and outlook in the US
- Median pay
- $50,290 a year, May 2025
- People employed
- 60,870 in the US, May 2025
- Projected change in jobs
- +5.9% from 2024 to 2034
Skills to build
- Perform manual retinoscopy to measure refractive error on patients
- Run tonometry tests to measure intraocular pressure manually
- Assist surgeons with aseptic setup and instrument preparation
- Chart patient histories and triage findings accurately in EyeMD EMR
- Capture ophthalmic photography with fundus camera equipment
- Teach contact lens insertion and removal to patients in person
Safer roles nearby
5 related occupations with lower scores.
Questions about ophthalmic medical technologists and AI
Will AI replace ophthalmic medical technologists?
Partly. About 2 in 10 working hours go to tasks AI can already do, mostly post-operative recovery calls and refraction calculations. Hands-on work stays with people, including tonometry, retinoscopy, and assisting surgeons in the room.
Which ophthalmic medical technologist tasks will AI take over?
Post-operative recovery calls carry an exposure score of 65, the highest in this job, because a scripted check-in suits an AI voice agent. Refraction calculations score 62, since the math is routine software work. Patient history taking scores 55, and AI scribes can document much of the interview.
Which ophthalmic medical technologist tasks stay human?
Administering topical ophthalmic or oral medications scores 5, the lowest in this job, because drops must be placed physically in a patient's eye. Assisting physicians during procedures and surgery also scores 5, since it happens in the room. Tonometry scores 12 because the device needs physical contact with the eye.
How can ophthalmic medical technologists stay valuable?
Keep hands-on skills sharp in manual retinoscopy and tonometry, since these score 10 and 12 for exposure. Review AI-drafted patient education and triage notes in EyeMD EMR before patients see them. Train newer ophthalmic staff on aseptic setup and instrument preparation. Track recall outcomes in Microsoft Excel to show where automated calls still need a human follow-up.
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