How to Start a Successful Ophthalmology Practice

October 23, 2025October 21, 2025 by Justin Nabity

Senior woman patient talking with female ophthalmologist during a medical consultation at the ophthalmologic office. Doctor offering eye medicine for a patient

As a physician, there are multiple ways you can seek employment, grow your career, and earn the income that you’ve trained so hard for.

Physicians have the option to join a hospital group or a large health care network. They can work as an employee in a small practice or a medical clinic. Physicians can also start a solo practice, team up with other physicians to create a multi-partner practice, or join an existing practice on a partnership track.

And for ophthalmologists, starting a practice is often the most attractive option.

Whether you specialize in glaucoma treatment, cataract surgery, cornea or retina diseases, or practice comprehensive ophthalmology, here’s what you need to know to start a successful ophthalmology practice.

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Should You Hire an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist to Improve Patient Care?

October 16, 2025 by Justin Nabity

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.

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