Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists score 37 out of 100, which is moderate exposure to AI. That ranks #457 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 31 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 1 on its own and 21 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 1 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

37/ 100

Moderate

Rank: #457of 923 jobs
US workers: 182,610for Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
Median pay: $50,290a year
In real AI use: 1 of 31tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 1 (3%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 21 (68%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 9 (29%)

Take and document patients' medical histories.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements, such as axial length measurements, of the eye or surrounding tissue.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Calculate corrections for refractive errors.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Collect ophthalmic measurements or other diagnostic information, using ultrasound equipment, such as A-scan ultrasound biometry or B-scan ultrasonography equipment.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Perform ophthalmic triage, in the office or by phone, to assess severity of patients' conditions.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Educate patients on ophthalmic medical procedures, conditions of the eye, and appropriate use of medications.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Conduct ocular motility tests to measure function of eye muscles.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Assess refractive condition of eyes, using retinoscope.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Measure corneal curvature with keratometers or ophthalmometers to aid in the diagnosis of conditions, such as astigmatism.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Measure the thickness of the retinal nerve, using scanning laser polarimetry techniques to aid in diagnosis of glaucoma.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Perform fluorescein angiography of the eye.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Photograph patients' eye areas, using clinical photography techniques, to document retinal or corneal defects.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
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 can speed this up with extra software · core task
Conduct binocular disparity tests to assess depth perception.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Assess abnormalities of color vision, such as amblyopia.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Call patients to inquire about their post-operative status or recovery.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Conduct low vision blindness tests.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Perform slit lamp biomicroscopy procedures to diagnose disorders of the eye, such as retinitis, presbyopia, cataracts, or retinal detachment.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Create three-dimensional images of the eye, using computed tomography (CT).AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Clean or sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Measure corneal thickness, using pachymeter or contact ultrasound methods.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Supervise or instruct ophthalmic staff.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Perform advanced ophthalmic procedures, including electrophysiological, electrophysical, or microbial procedures.Little or no AI speed-up · core task

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Questions about ophthalmic medical technologists and AI

Will AI replace ophthalmic medical technologists?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Ophthalmic Medical Technologists score 37 out of 100 (moderate exposure), #457 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 22 of the job's 31 tasks, 1 of them on its own, while 9 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which ophthalmic medical technologists tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Take and document patients' medical histories".

Which ophthalmic medical technologists tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure"; "Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications"; "Clean or sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 1 of the 31 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as ophthalmic medical technologists, and what do they earn?

About 182,610 people in the US (figure for Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other), with median pay of $50,290 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.