New Cohort Starts:

Donate

91Y Career Guide

Army

91Y: Ophthalmology Specialist

Career transition guide for Army Ophthalmology Specialist (91Y)

Translate Your 91Y Experience Now

Get a personalized AI-powered translation of your military experience into civilian resume language.

Start Free Translation

Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 91Y veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Ophthalmic Technician

$45K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

JCAHPO certification (Certified Ophthalmic Assistant or Technician)Specific experience with advanced diagnostic equipment (OCT, visual field testing)

Optometric Assistant

$40K
High matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Paraoptometric certification (CPO or CPOT)Experience with vision insurance billing and coding

Medical Assistant

$37K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

CMA or RMA certificationExperience with electronic health records (EHR)Knowledge of general medical assisting duties (taking vitals, administering injections)

Healthcare Administrator

$65K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Healthcare Administration or related fieldProject management skillsKnowledge of healthcare regulations and complianceExperience with budget management

Medical Equipment Repairer

$55K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Associate's degree in Biomedical Technology or related fieldCertification as a Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET)Specific training on ophthalmic diagnostic equipment repair

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 91Y training built — and where they transfer.

Procedural Compliance

Strictly adheres to medical protocols and regulations during patient care and diagnostic testing. This ensures accuracy, patient safety, and legal compliance.

Ability to consistently follow established procedures and guidelines to ensure quality, safety, and regulatory adherence in any field.

Situational Awareness

Constantly monitors patient conditions, clinic operations, and staff performance to anticipate potential issues and proactively address them.

Ability to maintain a comprehensive understanding of your environment and anticipate potential problems or opportunities.

Team Synchronization

Coordinates with doctors, nurses, and other medical staff to ensure seamless patient care and efficient clinic operations.

Ability to work effectively with diverse teams, coordinating efforts to achieve shared goals in a fast-paced environment.

Resource Optimization

Manages clinic resources, including equipment, supplies, and personnel, to maximize efficiency and minimize waste.

Ability to effectively manage and allocate resources to achieve optimal results in a cost-effective manner.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You've been meticulously adhering to medical protocols and regulations in a high-stakes environment. Your understanding of procedural compliance and attention to detail make you an ideal candidate to ensure organizations adhere to legal standards and internal policies.

Healthcare Administrator

SOC 11-9111.00

You've been managing clinic operations, coordinating with medical staff, and optimizing resource allocation. Your experience in healthcare, combined with your leadership skills, translates seamlessly into a role where you can oversee the administrative functions of a medical facility and ensure efficient patient care.

Logistics Coordinator

SOC 49-3042.00

You've been responsible for managing supplies and equipment in the clinic, ensuring that everything is available when needed. Your resource optimization skills and attention to detail make you well-suited for coordinating the movement and storage of goods in a variety of industries.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Medical Education and Training Campus, Fort Sam Houston

580 training hours14 weeksUp to 15 semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Basic Medical Terminology
  • Eye Anatomy and Physiology
  • Ophthalmic Diagnostic Procedures
  • Visual Acuity Testing
  • Ocular Motility Testing
  • Tonometry
  • Patient Care in Ophthalmology
  • Ophthalmic Pharmacology

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA)70% covered

Requires additional study on advanced ophthalmic procedures, pharmacology, and specific ocular diseases not covered in the military training.

Certified Paraoptometric (CPO)60% covered

Needs additional study on contact lens fitting, spectacle dispensing, and optometric coding/billing practices.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT)Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT)Healthcare Management Certification (e.g., Certified Medical Manager (CMM))Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor Certification

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Automated Eye Refraction System (AERS)Automated Refractor
Slit Lamp BiomicroscopeSlit Lamp Microscope
Tonometer (various types, e.g., Goldmann, Air-Puff)Tonometer
Visual Field Analyzer (Humphrey Field Analyzer)Automated Perimetry System
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
LensometerLensometer
Electronic Health Record (EHR) - AHLTA/MHS GENESISElectronic Health Record (EHR) - e.g., Epic, Cerner

Ready to Translate Your Experience?

Our AI-powered translator converts your 91Y experience into ATS-optimized civilian resume language.

Translate My Resume — Free