The medical profession is demanding. Long hours, high stakes, and the emotional weight of patient care can take a toll.
It might seem counterintuitive, then, that many physicians are actively seeking more work outside of their main role. Yet, more than half of physicians answering a Sermo poll said they have a side hustle. For some, it’s about financial freedom; for others, it’s a way to explore different facets of their expertise.
Ophthalmology, with its blend of clinical practice and surgical precision, is no exception. The specialized skills of an eye specialist open up doors for lucrative and fulfilling non-clinical work. Whether you’re looking to pay down student loans, offset the high costs of running a practice or diversify your career, a side gig could prove useful. This guide will explore how taking on a new project could benefit you, and highlights nine promising side hustles tailored to your expertise as an ophthalmologist.
Why do ophthalmologists seek a side gig?
Physicians engage in side gigs for multiple reasons, but in a Sermo poll the majority of respondents (41%) had financial motivations. “Having an additional hustle is necessary…to be able to meet our needs, in addition to improving our style and quality of life,” expresses one emergency medicine physician and Sermo member.
For ophthalmologists, several factors make the prospect of a side hustle particularly appealing:
High overhead and practice costs
Running an ophthalmology practice is a capital-intensive endeavor. The diagnostic equipment, sophisticated lasers and advanced imaging technologies required for state-of-the-art care come with a hefty price tag. Supplemental income from a side gig can be a practical way to offset these practice expenses without the need to increase patient load.
Pressure to maintain volume
Revenue in ophthalmology is often procedure-driven, tied to surgeries like cataract removal or LASIK. This can create pressure to maintain a high volume of procedures. A side gig offers a path to income stability that doesn’t depend on increasing your surgical caseload or clinic throughput, helping to mitigate burnout.
Industry demand for vision expertise
Your specialized knowledge is a valuable commodity to biotech firms, medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies seeking expert input. Ophthalmologists can step into well-compensated consulting roles that leverage their intellectual capital.
Desire for flexible, low-stress work
After long days in a busy clinic or operating room, the last thing many doctors want is another high-stress commitment. “With the work schedule in medicine, it is difficult to have extra time for other activities that produce income,” notes a surgeon on Sermo.
That said, many ophthalmologist side gigs offer flexibility and a change of pace. Activities like remote chart review, medico-legal consulting for vision-related injuries or creating medical content provide ways to earn money that are often less time-intensive and can be done remotely.
9 side gigs for ophthalmologists in 2026
Here are several side gigs that are an excellent fit for ophthalmologists, ranging from flexible online opportunities to expert consulting roles.
Sermo paid medical surveys
One of the most accessible and flexible side gigs is participating in paid medical surveys. Sermo partners with healthcare companies and research firms that need expert insights from physicians like you. You can share your knowledge on new treatments, medical devices and practice trends on your own time—whether it’s between patients or at the end of the day. A Sermo poll asking respondents for their side hustles found that a third had participated in medical surveys, making it the most popular answer. It’s a way to monetize your expertise without a significant time commitment.
Telediagnostics/tele-ophthalmology
As an ophthalmologist, you can work remotely reading and interpreting ocular images, such as retinal scans for diabetic retinopathy screening or OCT scans. This role offers flexibility, allowing you to work from anywhere with an internet connection. In the Sermo poll asking physicians for their side hustles, 11% reported that they’ve participated in telemedicine.
Medical writing or editing
Companies in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors need experts to write or edit a variety of content, including journal articles, clinical trial summaries, patient education materials and user manuals for new ophthalmic devices. One physician on Sermo finds the work enjoyable. “It is a great pleasure to write some comments or essays to local journals,” they shared. This side gig allows you to stay at the forefront of medical innovation while working on a project-by-project basis, offering both intellectual stimulation and scheduling flexibility.
Online CME course creation
Creating online Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses lets you share your knowledge and generate passive income. You can develop courses on specialized topics like advanced cataract surgery techniques, glaucoma management or the latest in retinal imaging. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy or specialized medical education sites can host your content, allowing you to earn revenue each time a fellow physician enrolls. This not only builds your reputation as an expert but also contributes to the education of your peers.
It’s a popular route within the community. “I am a teacher giving classes to medical students and ophthalmology residents,” shares one ophthalmologist on Sermo. A pediatrician is “a teacher giving classes to medical and postgraduate students,” and an occupational medicine physician is “a professor in the medicine program of a local university.”
Chart review
Insurance companies, healthcare organizations and legal firms often require physician experts to review patient charts for accuracy, medical necessity and adherence to standards of care. As an ophthalmologist, you could be tasked with reviewing cases related to eye conditions, treatments or surgical procedures. This work is typically remote with flexible hours, making it an ideal way to supplement your income without adding excessive stress.
Ophthalmology expert witness
You can also venture into the legal world. As an ophthalmology expert witness, you can provide testimony in cases involving vision-related injuries, medical malpractice or disability claims, preparing detailed reports and potentially testifying in court. Medico-legal consulting can command significant hourly compensation for your time and expert opinion. Physician expert witnesses make upwards of $186 per hour in the U.S., according to ZipRecruiter data.
Disability, eligibility & fitness examination
Government agencies and private insurers need ophthalmologists to perform independent medical examinations (IMEs) to assess disability claims, determine eligibility for benefits or evaluate an individual’s fitness for certain occupations. This work is non-therapeutic; your role is to provide an objective assessment based on a thorough examination.
LASIK center moonlighting
Many high-volume LASIK or refractive surgery centers need qualified surgeons to cover shifts on evenings or weekends. This provides a way to increase your surgical experience and income without the responsibilities of practice ownership. It may feel like a fit if you enjoy the surgical aspects of ophthalmology and are looking for a way to boost your earnings.
Public speaking
In the Sermo poll relating to side hustles, 10% of physicians said they have participated in speaking engagements. If you’re comfortable in the spotlight, sharing your expertise this way can be rewarding and profitable. This could involve speaking at medical conferences, hosting a medical podcast focused on eye health or leading webinars for industry partners. As your following grows, so do opportunities for sponsorships and other forms of monetization.
Sermo paid medical surveys as a means to reach your goals
For many physicians, the biggest hurdle to starting a side gig is time. That’s why Sermo’s paid medical surveys hold appeal. They offer a direct path to supplemental income that fits into busy schedules.
Think of the earnings from these surveys as seed money for your larger goals. That extra income could be what you need to enroll in a secondary degree program, get a new certification or attend a career-changing conference. By participating in surveys, you’re leveraging your intellectual capital efficiently, turning moments of downtime into tangible progress toward your goals.
Join Sermo to start taking surveys for ophthalmologists today.
How to find your path forward
Your unique skills as an ophthalmologist are highly valuable both inside and outside the clinic. You have your pick of a wide range of side gigs, from flexible online work like telediagnostics and medical writing to high-stakes roles in medico-legal consulting.
Sermo can pave your way with community and peer support. More than 1.5 million healthcare providers have already joined the community, where they connect to solve challenging cases, discuss new research and share advice on navigating the complexities of a medical career. Whether you’re just starting to think about a side gig or are actively looking for your next opportunity, you can use Sermo as a valuable resource to learn from your peers.
