Want to Pursue this career but...

I SUCK at math! Always have! I can't understand or remember the formulas for the life of me! If anyone has any suggestions like products (books, programs) to help me with my math skills that would be great! I actually suck at all academics (except writing). This might not be a smart career choice if I'm not a good left brain thinker.

I'm dying to know what you guys do at your jobs? Do you usually just work the front desk or what? I visit my optometrist every now and then and have never seen a ophthalmic assistant.

We normally work for ophthalmologist, not optometrist and have direct patient care. We prepare the patient for the doctor. Some of the things you can expect to do are taking a medical history, chief complaint of the patient, test vision, measure for glasses, check pressure, dilate and any other testing the doctor orders.

Very rewarding and fun field to work in if you like to work with people. I too, however, suck in math. This could prove a problem when working with a manual lensometer to read eye glass prescriptions because you have to figure out the numbers algebraically. I found a way around it...I found that I can count up or down the dial (hard to explain if you have never seen one) and find the exact figure I'm looking for...hasn't failed me yet:) Some practices don't even use manual lensometers they use computerized ones that do the reading for you:) I say go for it! It pays decent, you usually get decent benefits, PTO, and you learn a lot:) Good luck!

I have shadowed both P.T.A and Oph Tech. I just don't think I have the patience for P.T. Ophthamology Tech from what I heard is more stressful but you aren"t with patients as long. Any comments.