Optometrist – Cataract Evaluation & Lens Specialist

OptometristFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Optometrist – Cataract Evaluation & Lens Specialist Location: The Villages – Lake Sumter

Practice: St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser InstitutePosition SummarySt. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute is seeking a patient-focused Optometrist to join our Lake Sumter team in The Villages as a Clinical Extender/Lens Educator supporting our cataract operations.

This role is designed to enhance the patient experience and improve clinic efficiency by guiding patients through visual goal setting, cataract education, and lens selection discussions prior to surgical planning with the physician.

The Optometrist will serve as a key clinical partner, helping patients better understand their options while allowing the surgeon to focus on diagnosis, recommendations, and surgical planning. Key Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive patient education regarding cataracts, refractive outcomes, and intraocular lens (IOL) options

  • Guide patients through visual lifestyle assessments and goal setting discussions
  • Educate patients on standard and premium lens technologies, including benefits and expectations
  • Review diagnostic testing and reinforce physician recommendations with patients
  • Support efficient patient flow and clinical operations within the cataract evaluation process
  • Collaborate closely with Dr. Ireland and surgical counselors to ensure a seamless patient experience
  • Answer patient questions and provide compassionate, personalized guidance throughout the surgical decision-making process
  • Document patient interactions and recommendations accurately within the EMR
  • Participate in ongoing clinical education and process improvement initiatives

What We Offer

  • Opportunity to work alongside a nationally recognized cataract surgeon
  • Collaborative and patient-centered clinical environment
  • Competitive compensation and benefits package
  • Continuing education and professional development opportunities

State-of-the-art Technology and Support Staff

About St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser InstituteSt. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute is one of the premier ophthalmology practices in the country, providing advanced surgical and medical eye care across multiple specialties. Our mission is to deliver exceptional outcomes and an outstanding patient experience through innovation, compassion, and clinical excellence.

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from an accredited institution
  • Active Florida Optometry license in good standing
  • Strong communication and patient education skills
  • Interest or experience in cataract and refractive care preferred
  • Ability to explain complex clinical concepts in a clear, patient-friendly manner
  • Collaborative mindset with a commitment to exceptional patient care
  • Experience in a high-volume ophthalmology or surgical practice is a plus

Key Responsibilities

The Optometrist will educate patients on cataract surgery options, lens technologies, and visual goal setting to improve clinic efficiency. They will collaborate with surgeons and staff to ensure a seamless patient experience throughout the surgical decision-making process.

Qualifications

Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Patient counselingIntraocular lens selectionClinical documentationPatient flow managementDiagnostic testing reviewCommunication skills

Optometry Career Context

Of the 50 active Optometry listings this role was benchmarked against, 2% are remote, 80% have no call, 34% require no weekends.

Optometry pay on WeekdayDoc is up 1.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Optometry by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed paynot listedOptometry median $178k (middle half $165k–$200k)12 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost of livingFlorida index 103.4US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Optometry listings in Florida159 active2,013 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 2% remote · 80% no call · 34% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedFlorida healthcare professional listings: 30% state a sign-on bonus · 9% offer loan repayment162 active listings, Oct 2026
Optometry pay trend+1.7% vs prior quarter—through Sep 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Location & Logistics

Florida has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states.

Top Optometrist Jobs

20 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

19 jobs · 11 employers
5
<$155k
7
$155k-170k
4
$170k-185k
1
$196k
2
$200k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

18 jobs · 11 employers
401k / retirement match
100%
CME allowance
67% this job
Sign-on bonus
50%
Loan repayment
33%
Relocation assistance
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Market Managing Optometrist- Westchester and Long Island, NY- LensCrafters brand

Luxottica of America · Scarsdale, New York

$159k–$222k
#2

Optometrist (Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care) - Kokomo, IN

VSP Vision · Indianapolis, Indiana

$140k-$200k
#3

Optometrist, Sign On Bonus (Brookside Optometric Group)

$121k-$196k
#4

Optometrist

$63-$85/hr
+ 18 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 2.8this job 1.5
Better work-life than 20% of Optometry listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,993 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

St Lukes Cataract & Laser Institute logo

About St Lukes Cataract & Laser Institute

Benefits & Perks

Competitive compensation and benefits package
Continuing education and professional development opportunities
State-of-the-art technology and support staff

Living in The Villages

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$415k
Typical market rent
$2,129/mo
Residents’ average commute
21 min
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.