Ophthalmology.
Northgate represents ophthalmologists across retina, glaucoma, cornea, oculoplastics, refractive, pediatric, and neuro-ophthalmology.
Your career in ophthalmology.
Ophthalmology has been reshaped by capital more deeply than most surgical specialties. A senior retina surgeon at a high-volume independent practice is in a different conversation than a junior partner inside a PE-backed roll-up evaluating the second-bite earnout. A glaucoma specialist in academic practice is in a different conversation than a refractive-only practice partner. We treat the sub-discipline and the ownership posture as the unit of the conversation, not the line on the certificate.
The work within ophthalmology.
We are deliberate about the sub-discipline and the ownership posture behind it. The market for a vitreoretinal surgeon with a five-day surgical week is not the market for a senior cornea specialist evaluating a refractive partnership. The sub-disciplines below guide our approach to ophthalmology representation.
- Retina
- Medical and surgical vitreoretinal disease. The highest-volume surgical sub-discipline; injection-clinic and OR-block economics drive the conversation.
- Glaucoma
- Surgical and medical glaucoma, including MIGS. Senior partners with strong MIGS volume and disease-trial participation command premium offers.
- Cornea & Refractive
- Corneal transplantation, complex anterior segment, and refractive surgery. Two adjacent but economically distinct sub-disciplines; cash-pay refractive volume changes the math.
- Oculoplastics
- Oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery. A small sub-discipline; cosmetic vs reconstructive case mix and dual-board credentials drive senior moves.
- Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus
- Almost exclusively children’s hospital and academic. A small senior pool; the negotiation tends to be about protected academic time more than headline base.
- Neuro-ophthalmology
- A niche sub-discipline; academic affiliation is the norm. Senior moves tend to be tied to specific neuro-ophthalmology divisions at established academic centers.
- Comprehensive Ophthalmology
- Cataract-heavy comprehensive practice. The anchor of most independent and PE-backed ophthalmology groups; ASC economics and surgical volume define senior moves.
The ophthalmologist we represent.
We are most useful to ophthalmologists who are seven to twenty years into practice, board-certified, fellowship-trained where applicable, and at a real inflection point. A partnership track that has reached its decision point. A new ASC with retina or comprehensive block time. A second-bite earnout that is materializing or evaporating. A non-compete running out. An academic appointment opening at a department you have followed for years.
The conversation tends to work less well for trainees, for early-career physicians still building cataract volume, and for engagements where the platform refuses to discuss productivity bonus structure or restrictive covenants up front.
- Tenure
- Seven to twenty years post-fellowship or residency, with at least three years at the current practice.
- Sub-discipline depth
- A clear primary sub-discipline with case volume to match. Comprehensive surgeons are workable for community engagements; sub-specialists are necessary for academic team-leadership conversations.
- ASC ownership posture
- Whether you currently own equity in a center, what the next move requires you to leave, and whether the next platform offers equity. Often the largest economic variable in the move.
- Practice-model preference
- Independent partnership, PE-backed platform, academic appointment, or hospital-employed. The four shape the offer architecture more than the sub-discipline.
- Reason for the conversation
- A specific reason this season, not general curiosity. The reason itself usually shapes the right next role.
The rooms we work in.
The settings we consider for ophthalmology career opportunities.
- Academic Medical Centers
- Independent Ophthalmology Groups
- PE-Backed Ophthalmology Platforms
- Children’s Hospitals
- ASCs & Outpatient Surgery Centers
- Eye Institutes
- Integrated Delivery Networks
- Faculty Practice Plans
