Eye Doctor — Ophthalmologist / Optometrist

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking a dedicated Eye Doctor (Ophthalmologist or advanced Optometrist) to deliver high-quality medical, surgical and optical care for patients across the lifespan. The role focuses on diagnosing and treating ocular disease, performing office-based and operative procedures, interpreting advanced diagnostic imaging, coordinating care with opticians and primary care teams, and driving practice-level quality and patient experience improvements. The successful candidate combines clinical excellence with strong communication, triage and documentation skills and a commitment to continuous learning and evidence-based medicine.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Ophthalmology Residency graduate (MD/DO) or OD with advanced clinical training
Optometry clinical residency or fellowship-trained optometrist
Junior associate within an ophthalmology group or multispecialty clinic

Advancement To:

Senior Partner / Practice Owner
Medical Director or Department Chair of Ophthalmology
Fellowship-trained subspecialist (Retina, Cornea, Glaucoma) with tertiary referral responsibilities

Lateral Moves:

Clinical Lead for ambulatory surgery center (ASC)
Director of Ophthalmic Research or Clinical Trials
Tele-ophthalmology program lead

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform comprehensive eye examinations including history-taking, refraction, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, dilated fundus exam and interpretation of findings to diagnose and develop evidence-based treatment plans for a wide range of ocular conditions.
Diagnose and manage acute and chronic ocular diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, cataract, dry eye disease and ocular surface disorders, incorporating the latest clinical guidelines and pharmacologic therapies.
Plan and perform cataract surgery and other anterior segment procedures (e.g., pterygium excision, corneal cross-linking, intraocular lens selection and exchange) with a focus on surgical safety, refractive outcomes and efficient workflow in ambulatory surgery settings.
Provide medical retina care including intravitreal injection therapy, treatment planning for age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema, and coordination of follow-up imaging and retreatment schedules.
Manage glaucoma patients with full spectrum of care: diagnostic tonometry and pachymetry, gonioscopy, laser procedures (e.g., SLT, YAG), medical therapy optimization, and referral for MIGS or glaucoma surgery when appropriate.
Interpret and integrate advanced diagnostic imaging (OCT, OCT-A, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, ultrasound B-scan, corneal topography) into clinical decision-making and documentation for both routine and complex cases.
Triage urgent ocular presentations (e.g., retinal detachments, ocular trauma, acute angle closure) promptly, coordinate emergent referrals or operating room care, and communicate effectively with emergency/primary care teams.
Perform oculoplastic and eyelid procedures within scope (e.g., chalazion removal, eyelid repair, ptosis evaluation) or coordinate with subspecialists for reconstruction and complex cases.
Provide pre-operative evaluation and informed consent counseling, explain risks/benefits of surgical and non-surgical options, ensure appropriate pre-op testing and perioperative medication management.
Maintain meticulous medical record documentation in the EMR including exam findings, diagnostic test interpretations, procedure notes, operative reports and clear follow-up plans to support patient safety and billing compliance.
Lead and participate in multidisciplinary case conferences and care coordination with opticians, orthoptists, endocrinologists, neurologists, and primary care physicians to optimize systemic and ocular outcomes for complex patients.
Supervise and mentor ophthalmic technicians, optometrists in collaborative practice agreements, residents, and medical students; provide structured feedback, clinical teaching and competency assessment.
Develop and implement clinical protocols and quality improvement initiatives to reduce surgical complications, improve patient flow, and increase adherence to evidence-based screening guidelines (e.g., diabetic eye exams).
Oversee contact lens fitting and management for specialty contact lens needs (e.g., scleral lenses, keratoconus management), including troubleshooting fit issues and coordinating specialty orders.
Manage refractive surgery consultation and follow-up care (LASIK, PRK, implantable collamer lens), including pre-op screening, candidacy assessment, and post-op complication management.
Ensure regulatory, credentialing and compliance standards are met for surgical privileges, DEA licensing, OSHA/HIPAA policies and facility-specific safety protocols.
Participate in practice growth activities including patient education programs, community vision screenings, referral network development and local marketing initiatives to improve access and patient volume.
Stay current on new therapies, devices and clinical guidelines through continuous medical education, conferences, peer-reviewed literature and participation in clinical trials when available.
Oversee coding and billing accuracy for ophthalmic services by collaborating with revenue cycle teams to optimize documentation for CPT/ICD coding, support prior authorizations, and reduce claim denials.
Provide telemedicine and virtual eye care when appropriate, performing remote triage, reviewing uploaded imaging, and documenting virtual encounters per telehealth best practices.
Lead patient safety reporting and root-cause analysis for adverse events, implement corrective actions and track outcomes to reduce recurrence and improve care reliability.
Contribute to clinical research and quality registries by recruiting eligible patients, obtaining informed consent, collecting outcome data and adhering to study protocols when involved in investigational work.

Secondary Functions

Serve as a clinical champion for technology adoption (new imaging devices, EMR templates, tele-ophthalmology workflows) and train staff on best practices.
Support practice administration by assisting with scheduling triage pathways, utilization of ancillary testing, and optimizing appointment templates to maximize clinical throughput.
Participate in community outreach events, patient education seminars, and employer health programs to increase awareness of eye health and generate referrals.
Facilitate collaborative relationships with optometry and primary care partners through shared care agreements and co-management protocols for postoperative and chronic care.
Assist with inventory management and procurement decisions for surgical supplies, pharmacologics, and diagnostic instruments to control costs and ensure availability.
Perform chart reviews and peer-review activities to maintain clinical quality standards and support departmental morbidity and mortality processes.
Engage in marketing and patient retention strategies by contributing educational content for the practice website, social media, and after-visit summaries to improve SEO and patient engagement.
Provide on-call coverage per department schedule, triaging urgent patient calls, and arranging timely escalations to on-site or emergency surgical care as needed.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in comprehensive ophthalmic examination techniques including slit-lamp biomicroscopy, dilated fundus exam and diagnostic contact lens evaluation.
Advanced surgical skills in cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation with experience in phacoemulsification and refractive lens exchange.
Competent in intravitreal injection techniques and medical retina management for AMD and diabetic eye disease.
Skilled in glaucoma diagnostics and interventions including gonioscopy, tonometry, SLT and familiarity with MIGS procedures.
Interpretation and integration of ocular imaging modalities: OCT/OCT-A, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, corneal topography and ultrasound.
Ability to perform minor oculoplastic and anterior segment procedures (chalazion removal, eyelid lesion excision, amniotic membrane placement).
Strong EMR proficiency with ophthalmic documentation templates, templated procedure notes, e-prescribing and prior authorization workflows.
Familiarity with ophthalmic practice coding and billing (CPT, ICD-10, ophthalmology-specific codes) and documentation requirements for reimbursement.
Experience with telemedicine platforms for ophthalmic care, remote image review and secure patient communication.
Competence in contact lens fitting for complex corneal conditions (scleral lenses, specialty gas permeable fits) and refractive care counseling.
Surgical privileging and credentialing experience, including quality metrics tracking and morbidity/mortality participation.
Research literacy and ability to participate in clinical trials, protocol adherence and data collection for ophthalmic studies.

Soft Skills

Empathetic patient communication: explain complex diagnoses and treatment options in plain language and provide compassionate support for anxious patients.
Strong clinical judgment and triage skills to prioritize urgent ocular conditions and escalate care appropriately.
Collaborative team leadership and ability to mentor clinical staff, residents and interdisciplinary colleagues.
Detail-oriented with excellent documentation habits to support patient safety, continuity of care and billing integrity.
Time management and organizational skills to balance clinic, OR, administrative and on-call responsibilities efficiently.
Adaptability and continuous learning mindset to stay current with rapid advancements in ophthalmic diagnostics and therapeutics.
Professionalism in interactions with patients, families, and external providers, maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards.
Business acumen for practice development, patient retention strategies and participation in quality improvement initiatives.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

For Ophthalmologist: MD or DO degree plus completed Ophthalmology Residency and state medical licensure.
For Optometrist: OD degree plus state optometry licensure and, for advanced medical roles, a clinical residency or extended post-graduate training.

Preferred Education:

Fellowship training in a subspecialty (Retina, Cornea/Anterior Segment, Glaucoma, Oculoplastics, Pediatric Ophthalmology) for tertiary care positions.
Board certification (American Board of Ophthalmology) or board-eligible status; advanced certifications for optometrists where applicable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Ophthalmology
Optometry
Medicine (Internal Medicine, Endocrinology collaboration for diabetic eye disease)
Visual Sciences / Clinical Research

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–15+ years clinical practice depending on role (entry-level for new attendings up to senior/partner roles for experienced surgeons).

Preferred:

3–5 years of independent clinical practice for outpatient surgical roles.
Documented surgical case volume (e.g., cataract surgeries) and outcomes tracking.
Experience in a multi-provider practice, ambulatory surgery center (ASC) or hospital ophthalmology department.
Prior teaching experience or residency supervision preferred for academic or training-focused roles.