If you’re an ophthalmologist looking to expand your private practice, there will likely come a time when you need to hire additional staff. That could mean hiring a surgery technician, an optometrist, or another ophthalmologist like yourself.
Who you hire, an optometrist or ophthalmologist, depends on the needs of your practice and your patients. So you’ll need to determine how you want to grow your practice and how much you can afford to spend on additional resources and staff.
From salary to skills, here are some insights to help you answer the question:
Should I hire an optometrist or ophthalmologist?
Key Takeaways
- Deciding whether to hire an optometrist or ophthalmologist depends on your practice’s goals, budget, and patient needs.
- Ophthalmologists (MDs) can perform surgeries and treat advanced eye diseases, while optometrists (ODs) handle routine vision care and post-op follow-ups.
- Hiring an OD typically costs less in salary and malpractice insurance but may limit the procedures your practice can offer
- Adding another MD can expand surgical capacity, reduce wait times, and increase overall revenue.
- Alternative roles—such as medical assistants, ophthalmic nurses, or surgical techs—can also support your growing practice without adding another doctor to payroll.
