# Ophthalmic Medical Technicians

US SOC code 29-2057. Markdown version of https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/29-2057

Also called: Ophthalmic medical technologist, Ophthalmic technician, Ophthalmic technologist, Ophthalmic tech, COT.

## In brief

In May 2025, [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) counted **71,010** US ophthalmic medical technicians, with median pay of **$45,570** a year. The earliest figure here is [an estimate](https://entokey.com/the-development-of-allied-ophthalmic-personnel-in-north-america-and-worldwide/) of **5,000** from 1969, not measured the same way as today's count. The last full technology era for ophthalmic medical technicians: Optical coherence tomography commercial clinical use, 1996 to 2020. The OCT expansion drove the largest single increase in ophthalmic technician demand since the Humphrey perimeter.

## What the sources say

### Official outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 21.4% from 2025 to 2035. Source: [BLS Employment Projections 2025-35](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=29-2057&ioType=o).

### AI exposure studies

- **10.5%** of this job's tasks are exposed to large language models. Not a forecast of job losses. [Eloundou and others, 2023](https://github.com/openai/GPTs-are-GPTs/blob/main/data/occ_level.csv)

Data as of BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025-35.

## Ophthalmic Medical Technicians employment and pay by year

- On record since: 1900
- Latest US employment: 71,010 (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 [3]
- Latest US median pay: $45,570 (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 [5]
- Outlook: +21.4% by 2035. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 [19]

### All 17 years of cited US data

| Year | US employment | Annual pay (median unless marked) | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1969 | 5,000 (estimate) | n/a | Est., EntoKey [1] |
| 1985 | 12,000 (estimate) | n/a | Est., IJCAHPO History Milestones [2] |
| 2000 | 22,000 (estimate) | n/a | Est., IJCAHPO History [2] |
| 2012 | 29,170 | $34,240 | BLS OEWS May 2012 [3] |
| 2013 | 33,740 | $34,940 | BLS OEWS May 2013 [3] |
| 2014 | 36,470 | $35,230 | BLS OEWS May 2014 [3] |
| 2015 | 39,160 | $35,350 | BLS OEWS May 2015 [3] |
| 2016 | 43,990 | $35,530 | BLS OEWS May 2016 [3] |
| 2017 | 48,060 | $35,910 | BLS OEWS May 2017 [3] |
| 2018 | 52,890 | $36,530 | BLS OEWS May 2018 [3] |
| 2019 | 58,600 | $36,940 | BLS OEWS May 2019 [3] |
| 2020 | 59,960 | $37,940 | BLS OEWS May 2020 [3] |
| 2021 | 65,700 | $37,180 | BLS OEWS May 2021 [3] |
| 2022 | 66,060 | $38,860 | BLS OEWS May 2022 [3] |
| 2023 | 73,390 | $41,780 | BLS OEWS May 2023 [3] |
| 2024 | 76,520 | $44,080 | BLS OEWS May 2024 [4] |
| 2025 | 71,010 | $45,570 | BLS OEWS May 2025 [3] |

## Sources (64)

### Employment series

1. [EntoKey — "The Development of Allied Ophthalmic Personnel in North America and Worldwide" (JCAHPO founding context, 1969)](https://entokey.com/the-development-of-allied-ophthalmic-personnel-in-north-america-and-worldwide/), EntoKey / Lippincott
2. [IJCAHPO History Milestones — "Certified Allied Ophthalmic Personnel reached 8,000" (1980s); three levels of certification established (COA/COT/COMT)](https://www.jcahpo.org/about/history/), IJCAHPO
3. BLS OEWS, national cross-industry estimates (flat file), Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip), [2013](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm13nat.zip), [2014](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm14nat.zip), [2015](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm15nat.zip), [2016](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm16nat.zip), [2017](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm17nat.zip), [2018](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm18nat.zip), [2019](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm19nat.zip), [2020](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm20nat.zip), [2021](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm21nat.zip), [2022](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm22nat.zip), [2023](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm23nat.zip), [2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip)
4. [BLS OEWS May 2024, national cross-industry estimates (flat file)](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm24nat.zip), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

### Wage series

5. BLS OEWS, national cross-industry estimates (flat file), Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip), [2013](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm13nat.zip), [2014](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm14nat.zip), [2015](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm15nat.zip), [2016](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm16nat.zip), [2017](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm17nat.zip), [2018](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm18nat.zip), [2019](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm19nat.zip), [2020](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm20nat.zip), [2021](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm21nat.zip), [2022](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm22nat.zip), [2023](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm23nat.zip), [2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip)
6. [BLS OEWS May 2024, national cross-industry estimates (flat file)](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm24nat.zip), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

### Tool eras

7. [EntoKey — "The Development of Allied Ophthalmic Personnel in North America and Worldwide": informal ophthalmic assistant role pre-1960s; no standardized training or certification](https://entokey.com/the-development-of-allied-ophthalmic-personnel-in-north-america-and-worldwide/), EntoKey / Lippincott
8. [Goldmann Applanation Tonometer — Wikipedia: Hans Goldmann and Theo Schmidt; introduced 1954-1957; gold standard for IOP measurement; requires trained technique](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldmann_Applanation_Tonometer), Wikipedia
9. [Georgetown University Ophthalmic Medical Personnel Training Program — history: Dr. Peter Evans founded first formal US program 1963; JCAHPO founding member 1969](https://ophthalmology.georgetown.edu/omp/), Georgetown University Department of Ophthalmology
10. [Fundus photography — Wikipedia: David Alvis and Harold Novotny fluorescein angiography 1959; Zeiss, Canon, Topcon, Nikon as major fundus camera manufacturers; clinical adoption 1960s-1970s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundus_photography), Wikipedia
11. [IJCAHPO Certifications — sub-specialty certifications including ophthalmic photography introduced 2000-2011; rooted in fundus imaging practice that began in 1960s](https://www.jcahpo.org/about/history/), IJCAHPO
12. [Grokipedia — Humphrey Visual Field Analyser: developed by Mike Patella and Prof. Anders Heijl; launched 1984 by Humphrey Instruments (Allergan subsidiary); first HFA I introduced 1984 with hemispherical bowl; Zeiss acquisition later](https://grokipedia.com/page/Humphrey_visual_field_analyser), Grokipedia
13. [Standard Automated Perimetry — EyeWiki (American Academy of Ophthalmology): HFA became clinical standard for glaucoma visual field testing from mid-1980s; patient coaching and fixation monitoring remain OMT responsibilities](https://eyewiki.org/Standard_Automated_Perimetry), EyeWiki / American Academy of Ophthalmology
14. [Optical coherence tomography — Wikipedia: first commercial OCT by Humphrey Instruments 1996; David Huang MIT research; 180 units in clinical use by 2000; 10 million procedures by 2004](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_coherence_tomography), Wikipedia
15. [The Development and Clinical Application of Innovative Optical Ophthalmic Imaging Techniques (PMC 2022) — OCT from Huang et al. 1991; first commercial device 1996; rapid adoption and expansion through 2000s](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9279625/), PMC / Frontiers in Medicine
16. [Digital Diagnostics / LumineticsCore — FDA De Novo authorized 2018; first autonomous AI diagnostic for diabetic retinopathy; OMTs operate fundus camera; AI issues refer/rescreen without clinician review](https://www.digitaldiagnostics.com/), Digital Diagnostics
17. [Eyenuk EyeArt — FDA-cleared August 2020; 96% sensitivity for more-than-mild DR; multi-camera compatible; deployed at FQHCs and ophthalmology practices](https://www.eyenuk.com/en/), Eyenuk
18. [EyeWorld (ASCRS) 2025 — "AI in the ophthalmic exam lane": OMT workflow changes at AI-equipped practices; faster diabetic care lane throughput; new OMT role as AI result quality reviewer](https://www.eyeworld.org/), EyeWorld / ASCRS

### Forecasts and exposure studies

19. [BLS Employment Projections 2025-35, National Employment Matrix: 29-2057 Ophthalmic medical technicians (2025: 72.5 thousand; 2035: 88.0 thousand; +21.4%)](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=29-2057&ioType=o), Bureau of Labor Statistics
20. [Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin & Rock (2023), "GPTs are GPTs", occupation-level exposure data occ\_level.csv (O\*NET-SOC 29-2057.00, human-rated β 0.105)](https://github.com/openai/GPTs-are-GPTs/blob/main/data/occ_level.csv), OpenAI

### Historical notes

21. [Georgetown University Ophthalmic Medical Personnel Training Program — history of the program; Dr. Peter Evans founded first formal US ophthalmic medical assistant program in 1963; became JCAHPO founding member in 1969](https://ophthalmology.georgetown.edu/omp/), Georgetown University Department of Ophthalmology
22. [IJCAHPO History Milestones — founded 1969 by six ophthalmologist-led societies; mission to address allied ophthalmic personnel shortage and establish certification standards](https://www.jcahpo.org/about/history/), IJCAHPO
23. [Grokipedia — Humphrey Visual Field Analyser: launched 1984; developed by Mike Patella and Anders Heijl; first HFA I automated static perimetry; Allergan subsidiary Humphrey Instruments; later acquired by Carl Zeiss Meditec](https://grokipedia.com/page/Humphrey_visual_field_analyser), Grokipedia
24. [Optical coherence tomography — Wikipedia: commercial launch 1996 by Humphrey Instruments; David Huang MIT research; 180 units by 2000; 10 million procedures by 2004](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_coherence_tomography), Wikipedia
25. [BLS — Implementing the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification in the Occupational Employment Statistics (Monthly Labor Review 2013); 29-2057 introduced as distinct code in 2010 SOC revision](https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2013/article/implementing-the-2010-standard-occupational-classification-in-the-occupational-employment-statistics-program.htm), Bureau of Labor Statistics
26. [Digital Diagnostics / LumineticsCore — FDA De Novo authorized 2018; first autonomous AI diagnostic for diabetic retinopathy; OMTs operate fundus camera; AI issues refer/rescreen result without clinician review](https://www.digitaldiagnostics.com/), Digital Diagnostics

### Predecessors & successors

27. [EntoKey — "Development of Allied Ophthalmic Personnel": pre-1960 ophthalmic assistants were "an unorganized and uncertified group"; training depended on individual ophthalmologist mentorship](https://entokey.com/the-development-of-allied-ophthalmic-personnel-in-north-america-and-worldwide/), EntoKey / Lippincott

### Present-day analysis

- [O\*NET 30.3 — Ophthalmic Medical Technicians (29-2057.00): tasks, work activities, knowledge domains, technology skills, employment data](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-2057.00), accessed 2026-05-24
- [BLS OOH — Ophthalmic Medical Technicians: ~59,800 employed 2024; +3% projected growth 2024-2034; ~4,500 annual openings; median wage $45,860 (May 2024)](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/ophthalmic-medical-technicians.htm), accessed 2026-05-24
- [JCAHPO — Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology: COA/COT/COMT credential ladder; ~36,000 active credentialed ophthalmic personnel in the U.S. (2025); credential is voluntary but increasingly required at organized practices](https://www.jcahpo.org/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Digital Diagnostics / LumineticsCore — FDA De Novo autonomous AI diabetic retinopathy diagnostic; OMTs operate the fundus camera; AI issues the diagnostic determination without clinician review; CPT 92229 reimbursement; 1,000+ deployment sites](https://www.digitaldiagnostics.com/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Eyenuk EyeArt — FDA-cleared August 2020; 96% sensitivity for mtmDR, 92% for vtDR; multi-camera compatible; deployed at FQHCs and eye care practices staffed by OMTs for image acquisition](https://www.eyenuk.com/en/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Topcon Maestro2 with AI Hood Report — fully automated single-button OCT + fundus camera; AI-generated glaucoma Hood Report, AMD macular maps; standard equipment in ophthalmology and optometry practices staffed by OMTs](https://topconhealthcare.com/products/maestro2/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Modernizing Medicine (ModMed) EMA Ophthalmology — AI-suggested ICD-10 codes, automated exam note templates from diagnostic data (OCT, HVF, IOP); OMT pre-test data inputs feed the AI documentation layer; deployed at thousands of U.S. ophthalmology practices](https://www.modmed.com/specialties/ophthalmology/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Nextech EHR for Ophthalmology — AI workflow automation: auto-generated post-visit summaries, AI-flagged overdue monitoring appointments, coding-suggestion AI; OMTs enter pre-test data that feeds Nextech AI recall and documentation workflows](https://www.nextech.com/ophthalmology/ehr-pm-software), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Zeiss CIRRUS HD-OCT with GPA — FDA-cleared automated RNFL trend analysis (Guided Progression Analysis) integrated into CIRRUS 5000/6000; OMTs acquire serial OCT exams; AI generates automated progression reports; Ophthalmology Management 2025](https://ophthalmologymanagement.com/issues/2025/october/ai-in-ophthalmology/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [EyeWorld (ASCRS) 2025 — "AI in the ophthalmic exam lane": survey of ophthalmology practices deploying AI diagnostic tools; OMT workflow changes — faster throughput in diabetic lanes (LumineticsCore), reduced OCT bottleneck (Maestro2), new OMT role as AI result quality reviewer](https://www.eyeworld.org/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Review of Ophthalmology 2025 — "The Evolving Role of the Ophthalmic Technician": AI diagnostic tools increasing pre-testing efficiency; advanced OMTs (COMT) in surgical assistance and ophthalmic photography are more defensible than entry-level COAs](https://www.reviewofophthalmology.com/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Eloundou et al. 2024 — GPTs are GPTs (Science): occupational LLM exposure framework; 29-2057.00 has one of the lowest LLM exposure scores in the healthcare technician category (β ≈ 0.053) consistent with its highly procedural, hands-on character](https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10130), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Epic OpTime / Epic Ophthalmology — structured ophthalmic exam modules with AI clinical decision support; OMT pre-test data entry feeds Epic's smart-text and SmartForm documentation layers used by ophthalmologists at health system practices](https://www.epic.com/), accessed 2026-05-24

How to read these figures: https://futurehistory.earth/methodology. Every figure links to its own source; gaps stay gaps.