How Medical Optometrists Are Reshaping Ophthalmology Practices
Across the U.S., ophthalmology practices are encountering a challenge that is no longer theoretical — patient demand is rising faster than surgeon capacity. Clinic schedules are packed, wait times are expanding, and even the most efficient practices are feeling the strain of limited ophthalmologist availability.
In response, a growing number of practices are discovering a powerful, sustainable solution: hiring a medical optometrist.
For many groups, this isn’t a staffing decision — it’s a strategic transformation that redefines clinical flow, expands access, and protects surgeon time without compromising patient care.
What Exactly Is a Medical Optometrist?
Medical optometrists are not simply refraction specialists. They are clinicians trained to diagnose and manage ocular disease, support post-operative care, and collaborate closely with ophthalmologists in a medically intensive setting.
In an ophthalmology practice, a medical O.D. can:
- Manage glaucoma, dry eye, diabetes, AMD, and other chronic conditions
- Co-manage surgical patients and handle routine and urgent visits
- Perform pre- and post-op evaluations
- Reduce surgeon clinic load while maintaining continuity of care
- See more patients, sooner, without lowering quality
The right medical O.D. doesn’t replace surgical expertise — they multiply it.
Why Now? The Workforce Reality Is Shifting
The United States is experiencing a well-documented imbalance: fewer ophthalmologists are entering the workforce just as the aging population requires more eye care than ever before. Retina, glaucoma, and cataract case volumes continue to grow, and practices are being asked to do more with the same number — or fewer — surgeons.
Practices that continue operating under the old model may see extended wait times, reduced referral flow, or physician burnout. Practices that integrate medical optometrists, however, are finding:
- Expanded capacity without adding another surgeon
- Happier patients due to reduced delays and increased face time
- Surgeons working at the top of their license
- Predictable clinic schedules and improved flow
- Stronger long-term growth trajectories
In many cases, a medical O.D. becomes the single highest ROI clinical hire a practice can make.
The Competitive Edge of Adding a Medical O.D.
Early adopters are securing the most skilled providers — clinicians who want meaningful medical engagement, close collaboration with surgeons, and opportunities to practice at the highest level of optometry.
As more practices recognize the value of this role, competition for top-tier candidates will increase. Hiring proactively positions your practice ahead of that curve.
How a Medical Optometrist Changes Your Practice
A well-integrated medical O.D. can:
- Reduce bottlenecks by absorbing clinically complex, non-surgical visits
- Support expanding surgical volume by preparing and triaging patients efficiently
- Increase patient satisfaction by improving access
- Enable surgeons to focus where they’re irreplaceable — in the OR
- Add services and revenue streams without surgical onboarding delays
In a specialty where time is the ultimate limiting resource, medical optometrists give practices margin, breathing room, and scalability.
Ready to Explore This for Your Practice?
Recruiting a medical O.D. isn’t just a hiring project — it’s a strategic decision that shapes how your practice grows, serves patients, and supports your physicians.
At OjO, we help ophthalmology practices identify, attract, and hire exceptional optometrists who thrive in medically intensive environments and elevate the entire care team.
Learn more about our Medical Optometrist Recruitment services
Whether you’re adding your first medical optometrist or expanding a multispecialty team, we’d love to help you think through the role, define expectations, and recruit the right clinician.
Final Thought
“Every great practice is built twice — once in vision, and once in the people chosen to carry it out. Hiring well is not a task; it’s a competitive advantage.”
The future of ophthalmology isn’t defined by scarcity — it’s defined by collaboration. Practices that embrace medical optometrists aren’t cutting corners; they’re expanding their ceiling.
By building a team where everyone practices at the top of their training, you create a practice that is more resilient, more patient-centered, and far better positioned for the decade ahead.
And that’s a story worth telling — and implementing.
If you have comments, questions or would love to discuss hiring a medically oriented O.D. for your group, reach out to us at info@ojorecruitment.com for more information.
