Primary Eye Care Physician- Optometrist OD

OptometristNo weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$165k

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Primary EYE Care Physician

  • St. Michael’s Eye & Laser Institute
  • Largo / Clearwater, Florida
  • Full-Time

About St. Michael’s Eye & Laser Institute

St. Michael’s Eye & Laser Institute is a multi-generational ophthalmology practice serving the Tampa Bay area since 1961.

We provide comprehensive eye care with a strong focus on cataract surgery, refractive surgery, glaucoma, retina, cornea, dry eye, routine eye care, and optical services.

We are seeking a motivated, patient-focused Primary Eye Care Physician to join our growing team and work alongside our ophthalmologists, optometrists, clinical staff, and ambulatory surgery center team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a provider who wants to practice at a high clinical level within a comprehensive medical and surgical ophthalmology environment.

Position Overview

The Primary Eye Care Physician will serve as an important point of entry for patients within the practice, providing comprehensive eye care while helping identify, manage, and coordinate treatment for a wide range of ocular conditions.

This provider will work closely with our ophthalmologists and specialty teams to manage routine and medical eye care, identify ocular disease, participate in cataract and refractive surgery evaluations, and provide preoperative and postoperative care.

The ideal candidate is clinically strong, personable, efficient, and interested in becoming a long-term part of our practice.

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive eye examinations

Diagnose and manage common ocular diseases and conditions

Provide routine vision care and refractions

Evaluate and manage glaucoma patients

Identify retinal, corneal, anterior segment, and ocular surface conditions

Perform cataract evaluations and help guide patients through the surgical process

Provide preoperative and postoperative care for cataract patients

Participate in LASIK and refractive surgery evaluations

Manage dry eye disease and other ocular surface conditions

Interpret diagnostic testing including OCT, visual fields, retinal imaging, corneal topography, and biometry

Identify patients requiring specialty or surgical intervention

Coordinate care with ophthalmologists and specialty providers within the practice

Educate patients regarding treatment options, surgical procedures, lens technologies, and long-term eye health

Maintain accurate and timely medical documentation

Support efficient patient flow while maintaining a high standard of clinical care

Build strong relationships with patients, referring providers, and the surrounding community

Qualifications

Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited institution

Active or eligible Florida optometry license

Strong clinical and diagnostic skills

Excellent communication and patient education abilities

Comfortable practicing within a busy medical and surgical ophthalmology environment

Ability to work collaboratively with ophthalmologists and clinical staff

Strong commitment to patient care and the overall patient experience

Experience in medical optometry, cataract surgery co-management, glaucoma, refractive surgery, or a surgical ophthalmology setting is preferred, but not required.

What We Offer

Competitive base compensation

Performance and production-based earning opportunities

Paid time off

Health insurance benefits

Malpractice coverage

Continuing education support

Modern diagnostic and surgical technology

Established patient base

Experienced clinical and administrative support team

Opportunity to work closely with experienced ophthalmologists

Exposure to advanced cataract, refractive, glaucoma, retina, and surgical eye care

Long-term professional growth opportunities as the organization expands

Why St. Michael’s?

At St. Michael’s Eye & Laser Institute, the Primary Eye Care Physician is not simply performing routine eye exams.

This provider plays an important role in the overall care of our patients by identifying disease, managing ongoing conditions, coordinating specialty and surgical care, and helping patients navigate their treatment from their initial examination through long-term follow-up.

We combine the resources and technology of a comprehensive ophthalmology practice with the culture of an independently operated, family-led organization.

We are looking for a provider who wants to become an important part of the practice, build a strong patient following, contribute to an exceptional patient experience, and grow with the organization as we continue expanding throughout the Tampa Bay area.

  • Job Type: Full-Time
  • Location: Largo / Clearwater, Florida
  • Schedule: Weekdays

Qualifications

Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Ocular disease diagnosisGlaucoma managementRefractive surgery evaluationDry eye disease managementPreoperative careDiagnostic testing interpretationClinical documentation

Optometry Career Context

Of the 40 active Optometrist listings this role was benchmarked against, 5% are remote, 63% have no call, 73% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Florida is 103.4 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$165k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $160k in an average-cost state. 58.1% of Florida clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Location & Logistics

Florida has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$165k midpoint, that is roughly $7k–$12k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Optometrist Jobs

13 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution13 jobs · 6 employers

5
<$180k
6
$180k-205k
0
$205k-230k
2
$230k-255k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks11 jobs · 6 employers

401k / retirement match
64%
Sign-on bonus
55%
CME allowance
55% this job
Loan repayment
9%
Relocation assistance
9%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Optometrist

Vision to Learn · Newark, New Jersey

$110-$120/hr
#2

Optometrist - Ophthalmology

Providence · Torrance, California

$74.17-$117.1/hr
#3

Optometrist - Venice, FL

From $200k
#4

Optometrist

From $200k
+ 11 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 2.8this job 3.9
Better work-life than 60% of Optometry listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,809 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends

Living in Largo

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$401k≈ 2.4× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,833/mo≈ 13% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
25 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
100.9
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

St. Michael's Eye and Laser Institute logo

About St. Michael's Eye and Laser Institute

Medical Practices
Largo, FL
11-50 employees

Benefits & Perks

Paid Time Off
Health Insurance
Malpractice Coverage
Continuing Education Support