A paraoptometric is anyone who assists an optometrist in delivering eye care. Think of them as the support staff in an optometry office, handling everything from greeting you at the front desk to running preliminary eye tests before the doctor steps in. They are trained specifically to work alongside Doctors of Optometry, making them distinct from other medical assistants or ophthalmic technicians who support different types of eye doctors or physicians.
What Paraoptometrics Actually Do
The scope of a paraoptometric’s work is broader than most people expect. On any given day, they might take your medical history, run pretests and diagnostic screenings that the doctor will later interpret, help you try on and order glasses, or walk you through how to insert and care for contact lenses. They also work directly with the doctor in the exam room during your appointment, prepare rooms for special procedures, and in some states, assist during minor surgical procedures.
Beyond clinical tasks, paraoptometrics handle a significant amount of the business side of an optometry practice. They schedule appointments, coordinate patient flow, process insurance claims, and submit billing codes to insurance carriers. Many also take on management and administrative responsibilities as they gain experience. If you’ve visited an optometrist’s office, the first person you interacted with was likely a paraoptometric.
Contact Lens Training as a Key Responsibility
One of the more hands-on parts of the job is teaching new contact lens wearers how to use their lenses safely. Paraoptometrics walk patients through insertion and removal techniques step by step. For insertion, they typically instruct you to place the lens on the tip of your index finger, hold your upper eyelid firmly against the brow bone so you can’t blink, then use the middle finger of the same hand to pull the lower lid down. You look up, place the lens on the white part of the eye below the iris, look down, and slowly release. A few blinks, and the lens settles into position.
They also cover hygiene practices that prevent infections: always washing hands with fragrance-free soap before handling lenses, never rinsing lenses with tap water or saliva, discarding solution after each use rather than topping it off, and removing lenses before swimming or showering. Paraoptometrics teach patients to inspect every lens for tears or defects before putting it in, and to insert lenses before applying makeup or lotion. These instructions directly reduce the risk of eye infections and corneal damage, making this patient education role genuinely important.
Certification Levels
The American Optometric Association (AOA) offers four levels of paraoptometric certification, each representing a step up in knowledge and responsibility:
- Certified Paraoptometric (CPO): The entry-level credential, covering foundational knowledge of optometric office procedures and patient care.
- Certified Paraoptometric Assistant (CPOA): A mid-level certification that builds on CPO knowledge with deeper clinical skills.
- Certified Paraoptometric Technician (CPOT): The highest clinical certification, requiring the broadest understanding of diagnostic testing and patient care.
- Certified Paraoptometric Coder (CPOC): A specialized credential focused on medical billing, coding, and insurance processing.
Each level requires passing an exam developed by the Commission on Paraoptometric Certification and administered through Professional Testing Corporation. The CPO, CPOA, and CPOT exams are all accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, which is the recognized standard for professional certification programs in the U.S. To move up to the next level, your current certification must be active at the time you apply. All certifications expire and must be renewed every three years.
How People Enter the Field
Unlike many healthcare roles, there is no single required educational pathway to become a paraoptometric. Most people enter the field through on-the-job training at an optometry practice, learning clinical and administrative skills directly from the optometrist and experienced staff. A formal degree is not typically required to start working, which makes this an accessible career for people looking to enter healthcare without years of schooling first.
Certification through the AOA is voluntary but widely encouraged because it signals a verified level of competence to employers and patients. Many paraoptometrics begin working in an office, gain practical experience, then pursue CPO certification and continue advancing through the higher levels over time. This combination of real-world training and credentialing exams creates a clear career ladder within the profession.
Where Paraoptometrics Work
Most paraoptometrics work in private optometry practices, which is where the majority of routine eye exams and vision care happens. But they’re also employed in hospitals, multi-specialty clinics, and retail optical settings. The common thread across all these environments is the same: they work under the supervision of a Doctor of Optometry, supporting both the clinical care patients receive and the day-to-day operations that keep the practice running.