Will AI replace Ophthalmic Medical Technologists?

AI can do 24% of the work Ophthalmic Medical Technologists do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 1 of their 31 tasks, while 3 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 12 physical tasks. 15 still need a person.

AI is already doing this1 · 9% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Take and document patients' medical histories.Mostly assisted9% of time

AI could do this next3 · 14% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Calculate corrections for refractive errors.7% of time
  • Educate patients on ophthalmic medical procedures, conditions of the eye, and appropriate use of medications.5% of time
  • Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.3% of time

Robots can technically do this12 · 39% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.Robots: structured workplaces9% of time
  • Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision.Robots: purpose built settings5% of time
  • Assess refractive condition of eyes, using retinoscope.Robots: structured workplaces4% of time
  • Measure the thickness of the retinal nerve, using scanning laser polarimetry techniques to aid in diagnosis of glaucoma.Robots: structured workplaces4% of time
  • Photograph patients' eye areas, using clinical photography techniques, to document retinal or corneal defects.Robots: structured workplaces4% of time
  • Conduct ocular motility tests to measure function of eye muscles.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Measure corneal curvature with keratometers or ophthalmometers to aid in the diagnosis of conditions, such as astigmatism.Robots: structured workplaces3% of time
  • Perform slit lamp biomicroscopy procedures to diagnose disorders of the eye, such as retinitis, presbyopia, cataracts, or retinal detachment.Robots: structured workplaces3% of time
  • Clean or sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Measure corneal thickness, using pachymeter or contact ultrasound methods.Robots: structured workplaces1% of time
  • Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements, such as axial length measurements, of the eye or surrounding tissue.Robots: structured workplaces1% of time
  • Create three-dimensional images of the eye, using computed tomography (CT).Robots: structured workplacesunder 1% of time

Still needs a person15 · 37% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.5% of time
  • Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.5% of time
  • Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.5% of time
  • Supervise or instruct ophthalmic staff.4% of time
  • Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment.3% of time
  • Perform ophthalmic triage, in the office or by phone, to assess severity of patients' conditions.3% of time
  • Assess abnormalities of color vision, such as amblyopia.1% of time
  • Collect ophthalmic measurements or other diagnostic information, using ultrasound equipment, such as A-scan ultrasound biometry or B-scan ultrasonography equipment.1% of time
  • Conduct binocular disparity tests to assess depth perception.1% of time
  • 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.1% of time
  • Perform advanced ophthalmic procedures, including electrophysiological, electrophysical, or microbial procedures.1% of time
  • Perform fluorescein angiography of the eye.1% of time
  • Call patients to inquire about their post-operative status or recovery.1% of time
  • Conduct low vision blindness tests.1% of time
  • Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses.1% of time

Your week is not the average

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What this means

AI can speed up parts of this job, mostly the paperwork and information work around it. The core still depends on hands, presence or relationships. Robots are the other change to watch: they can technically do 42% of the working time.

What to do next

  • Do the 1 task AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 3 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 12 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 15 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Orthotists and Prosthetists26%Hearing Aid Specialists5%Neurodiagnostic Technologists14%Patient Representatives97%Ophthalmic Medical Technicians23%Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians22%

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