As an ophthalmologist, you are forced to navigate the rapidly changing medical landscape. Technological innovation, such as AI, stricter healthcare reimbursements, and increasing admin demands, are shifting what it means to work in ophthalmology. In a previously published (2023) Sermo poll, 77% of physicians had already reported an increase in part-time physicians in their medical communities.
A study in the Journal of Ophthalmology forecasts a severe shortfall in the field. By 2035, demand for ophthalmologists is projected to increase by 24%, while the supply is expected to fall by 12%, resulting in the second-worst workforce adequacy rate among surgical specialties. An increasing number of ophthalmologists are exploring alternative opportunities and side gigs to leverage their unique skills without the stresses of full-time clinical work.
Non-clinical ophthalmology jobs range from medical device consulting, pharmaceutical advising, healthcare administration, and entrepreneurial endeavors. Continue reading to discover real-world insights and considerations from the Sermo community regarding the best alternative career paths for ophthalmologists in 2026.
Why do ophthalmologists seek alternative careers?
As an ophthalmologist, you specialize in comprehensive eye and visual system care, diagnosing and treating eye diseases, performing complex surgeries like cataract extraction and LASIK, prescribing medications, and managing chronic conditions. To practice ophthalmology, you must have completed four years of medical school, a one-year internship, and a three-year ophthalmology residency, with many pursuing additional fellowship training.
Survey data on Sermo reveal that physicians’ dissatisfaction with their careers stems from multiple sources. When asked about the main reasons physicians leave medicine, 26% cited emotional stress and burnout, 21% reported long hours and lack of family time, 19% pointed to poor work-life balance, 18% cited excessive bureaucracy and administrative tasks, 9% felt income was too low, and 6% cited insufficient staffing.
One ophthalmologist writes on Sermo: “In my opinion, one of the factors that has most influenced doctors in my country to abandon the profession is the economic factor, as the salary does not correspond to the work we do. However, in other countries, medicine is very well paid.”
While ophthalmology differs from optometry in scope and training, both eye care professionals face similar career pressures. Optometrists primarily focus on vision care, prescribing contact lenses and eyeglasses, while ophthalmologists pursue surgical and medical interventions. The daily demands of vision care, whether in ophthalmology or optometry, can be overwhelming, prompting many to consider alternative paths and side work that utilizes their clinical expertise in different ways.
Monetizing technical/Surgical expertise
Another ophthalmologist vents simply on Sermo, “working long hours for a little money.” As an ophthalmologist, your surgical skills in procedures such as cataract surgery and LASIK, combined with a deep understanding of advanced optics and imaging, are directly transferable to highly compensated roles in medical device and pharmaceutical sectors. Companies actively seek ophthalmologists who can bridge innovation and clinical application, offering lucrative compensation packages.
High practice management burden
Approximately 70% of ophthalmologists in the USA own or operate in private practices, significantly higher than the 42% average across all physician specialties. Practice management imposes significant stress from staff management, complex billing, insurance negotiations, and rising overhead costs. These administrative responsibilities consume significant time and energy, distracting from patient care. The burden of managing electronic health records, regulatory compliance, and reimbursement continues to grow, leading some ophthalmologists to seek alternatives that eliminate these stressors.
Physical strain of microsurgery
Working as an ophthalmologist in the USA means performing an average of 250 to 400 cataract surgeries per year. Maintaining high procedural volume involves prolonged periods in ergonomically challenging positions. Operating microscopes require fixed postures that can lead to neck pain, back problems, and orthopedic issues. The cumulative physical toll of decades of microsurgery prompts some surgeons to shift to roles that leverage clinical knowledge without the chronic physical demands.
Influence on innovation
Ophthalmologists pursue positions in venture capitalism or biotech R&D to influence the development and market adoption of next-generation ocular drugs and surgical tools. These roles allow you to shape the future of patient eye care by calling on clinical experience to identify gaps in care and evaluate new technologies.
The ophthalmology community shares candid perspectives on Sermo. One ophthalmologist reflects: “No one ever told/taught us the available pathways post graduation from medical school. We just found ourselves on an island of vision surrounded by a sea of darkness.” Another ophthalmology specialist shares, “The cause [for alternative careers] is multifactorial, starting from the decision to study medicine, sometimes not for personal reasons, just to please the family or for social recognition. It is a profession that requires personal sacrifice and that of those around us. If we do not study it and exercise it by vocation, it causes abandonment.”
Strategic alternative careers for ophthalmologists
Many physicians are searching for alternative careers in 2026. A general practitioner on Sermo emphasizes: “Every doctor needs to consider conventional and alternative or secondary clinical practice, at the same time, both for their professional and personal development…”
Among surveyed physicians who have taken secondary jobs, 46% have worked medical surveys, 40% participated in consulting roles, and 14% have taken locum tenens assignments. These are often great starting points to test the waters before committing entirely to a new career path. If you are ready for the switch, here are the top alternative career choices for ophthalmologists.
Medical director (eye clinic, IOLs, lasers, ocular pharma)
Working as a medical director involves overseeing clinical operations, quality assurance, and strategic planning for eye clinics, intraocular lens manufacturers, laser companies, or ocular pharmaceutical firms. They ensure regulatory compliance, guide product development, and serve as the authoritative medical voice. The medical director role balances business objectives with clinical excellence. According to Salary.com, income ranges from $250,000 to $400,000 annually, with senior roles potentially exceeding $500,000 plus equity.
Inside the Sermo community, a U.S. physician notes: “Non-clinical medical director positions are available at insurance companies and state medical societies. Some states employ physicians to review Medicaid claims. Networking is important in finding these limited positions.”
Scientific advisor
As a scientific advisor, you provide expert guidance to companies developing retinal imaging systems, glaucoma drainage devices, and diagnostic technologies. You will review research protocols, interpret clinical data, advise on FDA submissions, and help position products competitively. Compensation varies from $150,000 to $300,000 for full-time positions, with consulting arrangements offering $300 to $800 per hour.
Clinical trial investigator or consultant
Principal investigators (PIs) lead clinical trials at practice sites, recruit patients, maintain protocol adherence, and monitor patient safety. Alternatively, ophthalmologists can consult for research organizations, design studies, or serve on monitoring boards. According to Indeed, Site PIs earn $50,000 to $150,000 per trial, while consulting fees range from $200 to $500 per hour.
Medico-legal consultation
A career in ophthalmology medico-legal consultation involves reviewing medical records, providing expert opinions on the standard of care, and testifying in cases involving surgical complications or diagnostic errors. As an expert witness, you can command $400 to $800 per hour for case review and $3,000 to $8,000 per day for testimony.
For many ophthalmologists, expert witness work begins as an occasional, case-by-case engagement. Over time, however, combining expert testimony with related medico-legal services—such as independent medical examinations (IMEs), medical record reviews, causation analysis, and consulting on malpractice risk—can transform this work into a steady, full-time career.
Ambulatory surgery center (ASC) CMO
Chief Medical Officers at ASCs oversee clinical quality, physician relations, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance. They develop clinical protocols, credential providers, and ensure patient safety while maintaining financial viability. Salaries range from $250,000 to $450,000, depending on facility size and location.
Medical science liaison
A medical science liaison bridges pharmaceutical or device companies and healthcare providers. These liaison professionals educate physicians about products, gather insights about gaps in care, and support research. The position requires excellent communication and extensive travel. Compensation ranges from $150,000 to $250,000 plus bonuses.
Health tech consultant
40% of the surveyed physicians in the Sermo community who have worked an alternative or secondary job have been paid for medical consulting. As a health tech consultant, you advise digital health startups, telemedicine platforms, and AI companies on clinical workflows, user experience, and regulatory strategy. Medical device consultant salary for this role varies from $150,000 to $300,000 for full-time positions, with project-based consulting earning $200 to $600 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter.
Public health
Public health careers encompass roles in government agencies, non-profits, and global health initiatives focused on population-level eye health. Ophthalmologists develop screening programs, conduct research, and implement interventions to prevent blindness and improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients.
Ophthalmology professor
Academic medicine offers you the opportunity to combine clinical practice with teaching, research, and mentorship. Ophthalmology professors allocate their time among patient care, resident education, research, and scholarly publication. Academic salaries range from $175,000 for assistant ophthalmology professors to $400,000 or more for senior faculty. Many boost their income through consulting and clinical trials.
Not ready to pivot? Side gigs for ophthalmologists
54% of surveyed physicians in the Sermo community already have a side hustle. If you’re not ready to transition fully, several side opportunities provide supplemental income, help you stay up to date in the field, and expand your professional network.
Telediagnostics/tele-ophthalmology
Working in remote ophthalmology involves reviewing retinal photographs, OCT scans, and visual fields from distant locations, providing diagnostic interpretations without direct patient contact. This flexible work fits any schedule.
Medical writing/editing
Medical writing includes the creation of peer-reviewed manuscripts, educational content, and technical manuals. This work uses clinical expertise while developing communication skills.
Sermo paid medical surveys as a means to reach your goals
46% of surveyed physicians with secondary jobs have completed medical surveys. Supplemental income from paid medical surveys on Sermo is an accessible, flexible option for physicians seeking to contribute to medical innovation without needing to switch careers away from clinical practice.
Paid surveys take only minutes to complete and can be completed anywhere —during downtime, between patients, or on the weekend. If you’re an ophthalmologist exploring non-clinical paths, survey participation helps you to maintain awareness of clinical trends, demonstrates continued engagement, and provides industry insights. Even ophthalmologists in non-clinical roles benefit from surveys, which provide a passive income stream while maintaining a clinical perspective.
Your takeaways
As an ophthalmologist, your unique combination of surgical precision, practice management experience, and patient care perspective makes you well-suited for high-value alternative careers across medical device innovation, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare administration. Successfully navigating this evolution requires strategic networking and careful management of conflicts of interest.
If you’re an ophthalmologist considering alternative career paths, leveraging professional societies and industry contacts can help identify opportunities that match your expertise and goals. Sermo provides invaluable peer support, enabling ophthalmologists to share experiences and access resources from colleagues who have made similar career transitions. Sermo’s paid medical surveys also offer significant earning potential to fund professional development, supplement income during transitions, or provide financial flexibility.
Join the Sermo community to find alternative career paths in 2026 that offer lucrative and impactful possibilities.
