Duties and Responsibilities:
Performs ophthalmic services.  Assists the health care provider in the examination and treatment of patients by performing visual tests or procedures.  Orders, fits, and dispenses military eyewear.  Instructs patients on contact lens procedures.  Assists aircrew members in aviator contact lens and night vision goggle program.  Assists personnel in occupational vision programs.  Records patient case history, conducts visual screening tests such as visual acuity, cover test, pupillary testing, color vision, depth perception, visual field charting, and tonometry for analysis and interpretation.  Performs as an ophthalmic surgical assistant and prepares preoperative and postoperative patients.  Takes ophthalmic photographs and prepares injectable ophthalmic anesthetics and antibiotics.  Administers ophthalmic drops and ointments, applies ocular dressings, performs suture removal, and obtains eye cultures.

Manages ophthalmic resources.  Determines requirements for supplies, equipment, and personnel.  Develops and maintains a working environment to provide timely, economical, and operational support.  Directs budget and manages ophthalmic activities.  Ensures periodic maintenance and calibration checks on clinic diagnostic equipment are completed.

Manages ophthalmic administrative services.  Directs refractive surgery, aircrew contact lens, safety, infection control, and training programs.  Coordinates technical and administrative activities of ophthalmic services to ensure effective and efficient use of ophthalmic personnel.  Executes self-inspections, reviews reports and records for accuracy and compliance.  Reports findings and service’s activities.  Establishes or recommends ophthalmic standards, regulations, policies, or procedures to ensure quality patient care in a safe, efficient, and effective ophthalmic environment.

Specialty Qualifications:
Knowledge.  Knowledge is mandatory of:  Ocular anatomy; ophthalmic medications; visual physiology, optics; use and maintenance of ophthalmic instruments and testing equipment; ophthalmic and medical instructions; medical terminology; ophthalmic technology; asepsis; ocular referrals and emergency medical treatment; patient transportation; medical ethics; medical administration; and medical service organization and function. Surgical instruments and equipment, ophthalmic injectable medications, anesthetic solutions, and ocular disorders.

Education.  For entry into this specialty, completion of high school courses in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, physics, biology, anatomy, or physiology is desirable.

Training.  For award of 4V031, completion of a basic ophthalmic course is mandatory.

Experience.  The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:
4V051.  Qualification in and possession of AFSC 4V031.  Also, experience in caring for and treating ophthalmic patients and in operating and maintaining ophthalmic equipment such as lensometers, vision screening instruments, visual field measuring instruments, tonometers, and fitting optical and ophthalmic devices.

4V071.  Qualification in and possession of AFSC 4V051.  Also, experience performing or supervising ophthalmic functions such as caring for and treating patients, operating ophthalmic testing equipment, and fitting optical and ophthalmic devices.

4V091.  Qualification in and in possession of AFSC 4V071.  Also, experience managing optometry or ophthalmology activities.

Other.  The following are mandatory as indicated:  For entry into AFSCs 4V0X1:  Vision corrected to at least 20/30 in either eye.  No detectable central scotoma in eye with best acuity.  For award and retention of AFSC 4V071, National certification and recertification from one of the following:  American Optometric Association (AOA),  Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO), or  American Board of Opticianry (ABO).  For award and retention of AFSCs 4V031/51/71/91, must maintain an Air Force Network License according to AFI 33-115, Vol 2, Licensing Network Users and Certifying Network Professionals.