A Bright Future in Sight!
The Duke Ophthalmic Technician Program is a 1-year allied health certificate program that prepares students for a career in eye care. Offered by the Duke School of Medicine, this full-time program includes classroom instruction at Duke Eye Center in Durham, NC and clinical rotations that take place at all eight Duke Eye Center clinics. The Duke Ophthalmic Technician program is accredited by the International Council of Accreditation (ICA).
Applications for the 2026-2027 session will open soon!
What is an Ophthalmic Technician?
Ophthalmic Technicians work closely with ophthalmologists, who are eye doctors that specialize in eye diseases and surgeries. An OpTech holds many important roles in an ophthalmology practice to prepare a patient to see their eye doctor.
Benefits of the Duke OpTech Program
- Students may begin the program after earning a high school diploma, students must be 18 at start of clinical rotations.
- No college degree or prerequisites required
- Earn a certificate in one year with eligibility to take the certification exam
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Three months of in person classroom instruction.
- Nine months spent getting hands on experience in clinical rotations at Duke Eye Center
- Starting pay $22-$24/hr
- 90% employment rate after program completion
- Affordable tuition and financial aid is available
Highlights of an OpTech Career
- Provide direct patient care with highly specialized eye doctors (ophthalmologists)
- Perform vision exams, diagnostic testing, measure and record visual stats, to help ophthalmologist correct diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases
- Assist in surgery performed by ophthalmologists
- Instruct patients about medications, tests and procedures
- Support clinical research by collecting information for research studies
- An in-demand career due to a nationwide shortage of OpTechs
- Many possibilities for career advancement in clinic management positions and other roles in eye care
- Individuals interested in a direct patient care career that does not require a four-year degree are encouraged to apply
*We do not provide immigration sponsorship for the Ophthalmic Technician Program.*
