For some ophthalmology practices, bringing in a cornea surgeon makes it possible to care for patients they currently refer elsewhere.
That might include patients who need a corneal transplant, cross-linking, treatment for a difficult ocular surface condition, or help with a complex cataract or secondary IOL. A cornea specialist can also be someone local optometrists feel comfortable calling when a patient needs more specialized care.
Finding the right doctor takes time. Cornea surgeons want to understand the work they would actually do in your practice: where their cases will come from, whether the team and equipment are ready for them, and whether they can picture building a life and career with your group.
Since 2009, OjO Recruitment Agency has helped ophthalmology practices and eye care organizations recruit doctors. Here are some of the questions we encourage practices to work through before and during a cornea surgeon search.
Why Are You Bringing Cornea Care In-House?
Before you begin recruiting a cornea surgeon, take a close look at the need behind the position. The answer will help you describe the opportunity honestly to candidates.
Are patients being referred elsewhere for care you would like to offer? Look at the volume and types of cases your doctors currently send out. Are there enough cornea and complex anterior segment patients to help a new specialist build the kind of practice they want?
Is a senior surgeon preparing to retire? If that doctor has cared for complex patients for years, think through how those relationships and referrals would move to a new surgeon. Referring doctors will want to know their patients remain in capable hands.
Do your doctors need help with difficult lens decisions? A cornea surgeon’s experience with corneal shape, prior refractive surgery, astigmatism, and tear film health can be valuable when measurements or lens choices are less straightforward.
What do local optometrists need? A cornea surgeon who is approachable and communicates well can become a trusted resource for ODs managing ulcers, persistent epithelial defects, ocular surface disease, and other challenging cases.
You do not need a perfect answer to every question before you call a recruiter. But the more clearly you understand the need, the easier it is to explain the job to the right doctor.
What Will a Cornea Surgeon Want to Know?
Pay matters, of course. So does the doctor’s ordinary week. Both graduating fellows and experienced surgeons will look closely at how your practice works.
Where will the cases come from?
A fellow who has spent an extra year developing cornea surgical skills will want to use them. If the position is primarily routine exams and cataract surgery, say so. If partners plan to hand off cornea patients, explain who those partners are, what kinds of cases they see, and how the handoff will work.
Be ready for questions such as: What could my schedule look like during the first six months? How much cornea surgery is already here, and how much would I need to develop?
Are the equipment and staff ready?
Candidates may ask about your topography or tomography, anterior segment imaging, and other equipment relevant to the care you expect them to provide. They will also want to know whether clinical staff can help with cornea workups without slowing the clinic down.
The best answer is an honest one. If you plan to add equipment or train staff as the position grows, talk through that plan.
Will they have dependable OR access?
Surgical demand only helps if the doctor can get cases onto the schedule. Where would they operate? How much block time would be available? Does the surgical team have experience with cornea cases?
If the ASC serves several specialties, it is worth discussing how block time is assigned and whether the new surgeon would have the access they need.
Why is the position open?
Experienced surgeons may have different questions from graduating fellows. They often want to know why a practice is hiring, how long associates tend to stay, what leadership is like, and whether partnership is a real possibility.
Make room for those conversations. A doctor considering a move may be thinking as much about their family and long-term future as their next surgical schedule.
How will compensation and partnership work?
Explain the base salary, any production bonus, call expectations, and the time it may take to build a full schedule. If partnership or ASC ownership may be available, describe the expected timeline and how those decisions are made.
You do not need every detail finalized on the first call. You do need to be able to explain what is decided, what is still open, and when the doctor can expect answers.
How OjO Helps with a Cornea Surgeon Search
Every practice has a different story. Our first job is to understand yours well enough to speak honestly with doctors about the position.
We can help you think through compensation, call, the clinical mix, and what candidates are likely to ask. We also reach out personally to cornea surgeons, including fellows nearing the end of training and established doctors who might consider a move for the right opportunity.
Before introducing a candidate, we spend time learning about their surgical interests, career goals, and the places where they and their family could see themselves living. As conversations progress, we help both sides address questions early so that important details do not surface for the first time when an agreement is on the table.
When Should You Start Searching for a Cornea Specialist?
If you know you will need a cornea surgeon, give yourself as much lead time as you can. Twelve to eighteen months can provide room to define the position, meet doctors, arrange visits, and work through licensing and credentialing. Some searches move faster; others take longer.
Fellows may begin exploring jobs during their training year. Experienced surgeons may need more time to consider a move or give notice. Your timing should account for the kind of doctor you hope to recruit and when your practice needs them to begin.
A useful first step is to gather your partners and answer a few questions together: What work will this surgeon do? Where will the cases come from? What support can you offer now? What would you be willing to build with the right person?
Frequently Asked Questions
What should we have ready before interviewing a cornea surgeon?
Be prepared to discuss the expected clinical and surgical mix, likely sources of patients, diagnostic equipment, staff support, OR access, call, compensation, and any potential path to partnership. If some details are still being worked out, let the candidate know who will make those decisions and when.
What is a typical pay structure for a new cornea surgeon?
Many practices offer a guaranteed base salary while a new surgeon builds a patient schedule, along with an opportunity to earn more as the practice grows. The right structure depends on the existing patient volume, expected surgical work, location, and other terms of the offer. What matters most is that the doctor can understand how the compensation works.
How can we improve the chances that the surgeon stays?
Start with a good match between the doctor and the work they will actually do. Make sure the support, OR access, compensation, and future opportunities discussed during recruiting reflect what the doctor will experience after joining. Have a healthcare attorney help your practice prepare a clear employment agreement before the search reaches its final stages.
Can OjO help if we are still planning the position?
Yes. You can talk with us about patient need, the clinical mix, candidate expectations, and questions your partners may need to resolve before formally beginning a search.
Does OjO require an exclusive contract or an upfront recruitment fee?
No. Our recruitment work is contingency-based, and we do not require exclusivity.
Does OjO offer a guarantee on placements?
Yes. We offer 100% money back guarantee on our Ophthalmology & Optometry placements.
Let’s Talk About Your Practice
Whether you are preparing for a partner’s retirement, replacing a departing surgeon, or considering cornea care for the first time, we are happy to talk through what the position could look like and when it makes sense to begin.
Email us at info@ojorecruiting.com, or visit our contact page. You can also learn more about recruiting with OjO.