Optometrist | Refractive Surgery Specialty
St. Louis, Missouri
A refractive-only, cash-pay specialty role with $165K guaranteed base pay, a defined patient appointment schedule: M–F 7:40AM–3:40PM, no nights/weekends/call, and student loan support.
Brinton Vision is seeking two full-time optometrists to join our nationally recognized, refractive-only surgery practice in St. Louis. Designed for 2026 OD graduates drawn to laser and lens-based vision correction, this role offers a rare opportunity to begin a clinical career within a 100% cash-pay, refractive-only model. Our ODs practice full-scope optometry with clinical autonomy, seeing 7,000+ patient visits annually alongside an experienced on-site team of one MD and three ODs. Prior refractive experience is not required—structured specialty training is provided within the practice. We are conducting a selective national search for candidates who are serious about refractive care.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
- Single-location refractive-only specialty practice
- Defined clinic appointment schedule, Mon–Fri 7:40am–3:40pm
- Weekends, not workends—no nights, no weekends
- Physician-present, collegial clinical environment
- Consistently named #1 LASIK Center in St. Louis & Missouri (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, STL Magazine, Missouri Magazine)
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- $165,000 salary for new 2026 grads (not production-based)
- Student loan payoff program
- Generous vacation/PTO
- 401k with profit sharing (7.5% of salary in 2026)
- Health/dental insurance with HSA company contribution
- Paid gym membership
- Relocation assistance for out-of-state candidates
Compensation reflects the specialized nature of the practice.
- Single-location, refractive-only specialty practice
- Defined clinic schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:40AM–3:40PM
- No nights. No weekends. (Weekends are truly yours.)
- Physician-present, highly collegial clinical environment
- Consistently named #1 LASIK Center in St. Louis and Missouri (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, STL Magazine, Missouri Magazine)
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- $165,000 salary for new 2026 grads (not production-based)
- Student loan payoff program
- Generous vacation/PTO
- 401k with profit sharing (7.5% of salary in 2026)
- Health/dental insurance with HSA company contribution
- Paid gym membership
- Relocation assistance for out-of-state candidates
Compensation reflects the specialized nature of the practice.
A refractive-only, cash-pay specialty role with $165K guaranteed base pay, a defined patient appointment schedule: M–F 7:40AM–3:40PM, no nights/weekends/call, and student loan support.
- LASIK, PRK, and SMILE
- EVO ICL and Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
- Comprehensive annual dilated eye examinations
- Over 7,000 clinic visits in 2025
- Clinical teaching site for UMSL School of Optometry (precepting 4–6 student ODs weekly)
- Direct patient care within industry-sponsored FDA clinical trials evaluating emerging refractive technologies
- Drawn to refractive surgery, including laser and lens-based vision correction
- Seeking full clinical autonomy with experienced physicians onsite for real-time collaboration when desired
- Motivated to build long-term patient relationships
- Seeking an optical- or retail-driven practice environment
- Primarily interested in pathology-heavy medical optometry
PRACTICE MODEL & CLINICAL SUPPORT
- 100% cash-pay model—no insurance billing or coding
- No production quotas, sales targets, or optical dispensary
- Dedicated refractive surgery practice (not a mixed retail or cataract model)
- Robust technician and scribe support (MRx/CRx performed by technicians)
- State-of-the-art 12-lane clinic with on-site surgery suite
- Full-scope optometry with in-room physician collaboration available whenever desired
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
- Leafy, highly desirable suburb in West St. Louis County
- Major metro amenities—dining, arts, professional sports—with an outstanding cost of living
- Short commutes and exceptional quality of life compared to coastal cities
READY TO CONNECT?
Apply: Send your CV or resume to [email protected]
Learn more: brintonvision.com/AssociateOptometrist
Life at Brinton Vision: tiktok.com/@LasikStLouis
A refractive-only, cash-pay specialty role with $165K guaranteed base pay, a defined patient appointment schedule: M–F 7:40AM–3:40PM, no nights/weekends/call, and student loan support.
Pathology we diagnosed in 2025
Cornea & External Disease
- Dry eye disease (aqueous-deficient & evaporative)
- Meibomian gland dysfunction
- Blepharitis (anterior/posterior)
- Bacterial keratitis
- Herpes simplex keratitis
- Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (corneal involvement)
- Keratoconus
- Pellucid marginal degeneration
- Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy
- Epithelial basement membrane dystrophy
- Salzmann nodular degeneration
- Recurrent corneal erosion
- Pterygium
Glaucoma
- Primary open-angle glaucoma
- Normal-tension glaucoma
- Acute angle-closure crisis
- Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma
- Pigmentary glaucoma
- Ocular hypertension
Retina / Vitreoretinal Surgery
- Nonexudative age-related macular degeneration
- Neovascular (wet) AMD
- Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy
- Proliferative diabetic retinopathy
- Diabetic macular edema
- Tractional retinal detachment
- Retinal tear
- Lattice degeneration (retinal)
- Epiretinal membrane
- Full-thickness macular hole
- Branch retinal vein occlusion
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- Posterior vitreous detachment
- Endophthalmitis
Neuro-Ophthalmology
- Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
- Optic disc drusen
Uveitis (Ocular Immunology)
- HLA-B27 anterior uveitis
- Episcleritis
Pediatric Ophthalmology / Strabismus
- Accommodative esotropia
- Intermittent exotropia
- Duane retraction syndrome
- Amblyopia (anisometropic)
- Amblyopia (strabismic)
- Anisometropia
- Congenital cataract
- Retinopathy of prematurity
- Nystagmus (infantile)
- Albinism (ocular)
- Childhood refractive error (high hyperopia/myopia)
Oculoplastics / Orbit
- Dermatochalasis
- Involutional ptosis
- Ectropion
- Chalazion
- Preseptal cellulitis
- Orbital fracture (blowout)
- Floppy eyelid syndrome
Comprehensive Ophthalmology
- Age-related cataract
- Posterior capsular opacification
- Presbyopia
- Primary pterygium (small, non-surgical)
- Conjunctivitis (viral)
- Conjunctivitis (bacterial)
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Subconjunctival hemorrhage
- Pinguecula
- Floaters (benign)
- Ocular migraine
- Contact lens intolerance
- Mild ocular trauma (corneal abrasion)
- Refractive error (myopia)
- Refractive error (hyperopia)
- Refractive error (astigmatism)
- Dry AMD (early, mild)
- Mild NPDR (screening stage)
- Chalazion (conservative management)
Associate Optometrist – Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. This role is specifically designed for new graduates who want a structured start in refractive surgery without being overwhelmed or left unsupported. You’ll have real responsibility from day one, with experienced physicians on-site to guide and mentor you.
You will practice with full clinical autonomy appropriate to your training and licensure. At the same time, experienced physicians are physically on-site every day and available in real time for collaboration, second opinions, or in-room consultation whenever you want it.
No. Optometrists in this role focus on comprehensive refractive care, including preoperative evaluations, perioperative management, postoperative care, and long-term patient relationships. Surgical procedures are performed by the ophthalmologist.
Your clinical work will include LASIK, PRK, SMILE, EVO ICL, and lens replacement care, along with comprehensive yearly dilated eye exams. You’ll work with patients across the full refractive journey, from initial consultation through long-term follow-up.
No. We do not operate on production quotas. Our clinic schedule is fixed, predictable, and designed to support thoughtful patient care, learning, and work–life balance.
No. Brinton Vision is a 100% cash-pay practice. Optometrists do not handle insurance billing or coding, allowing you to focus on patient care and clinical decision-making.
You’ll work in a highly supported environment with experienced technicians and scribes who handle MRx and CRx, diagnostics, and documentation. This allows you to focus on clinical care and patient interaction. Some of our physicians choose to conduct their entire clinic work day without a single stroke on a computer keyboard—scribes can pull everything up and take care of all documentation based on instructions from our doctors.
Mentorship is built into daily practice. You’ll work alongside an ophthalmologist and multiple optometrists on-site, with frequent informal case discussion, real-time consultation, and ongoing professional development.
No. While Brinton Vision is a clinical teaching site for the UMSL School of Optometry, participation in teaching is not required. Many optometrists find the academic environment enriching, but your primary responsibility is patient care.
This role may not be ideal if you are primarily interested in optical sales, contact lens–focused practice, or pathology-heavy medical optometry. Our practice is dedicated to refractive and surgical vision correction care.
No. Optometrists participate in patient care within established studies. Trial design, regulatory oversight, and administration are handled by the research team
You’re welcome to start with an informal conversation. Interested candidates can send a CV or resume to [email protected].
Relocating to St. Louis – Frequently Asked Questions
Most people are surprised by how easy the transition is. St. Louis offers many of the cultural, dining, and entertainment amenities of a major metro area, but with significantly less congestion, stress, and cost of living. Many professionals relocating from coastal cities find the pace of life refreshing rather than limiting.
St. Louis has a vibrant and diverse food scene, nationally recognized restaurants, major museums, live music, theater, and professional sports teams. Cultural institutions like the Saint Louis Art Museum, Fox Theatre, and St. Louis Symphony are major draws — many with free or low-cost access.
The cost of living in St. Louis is dramatically lower than in New York, Boston, San Francisco, or Los Angeles. Most professionals find they can afford larger, more comfortable housing, shorter commutes, and a higher overall quality of life — often while saving more than they could in a coastal city.
Commutes in the St. Louis area are typically short and predictable. Many physicians and optometrists commute 15–25 minutes, even from desirable suburban neighborhoods. This translates directly into more personal time during the week.
Yes. St. Louis Lambert International Airport offers extensive domestic nonstop service and now includes multiple nonstop international routes to Europe, including London and Frankfurt. This makes travel to the East Coast, West Coast, and Europe straightforward and convenient.
Many physicians and professionals live in West St. Louis County communities such as Creve Coeur, Town & Country, Clayton, Ladue, and surrounding areas. These neighborhoods are known for excellent schools, green space, safety, and easy access to both the clinic and the city.
St. Louis has a strong medical and optometric community, anchored by major academic institutions, teaching hospitals, and specialty practices. Many clinicians find the professional environment collaborative and accessible, with opportunities for teaching, research, and leadership that can be harder to access in larger, more saturated markets.
Common reasons include work–life balance, affordability, professional autonomy, strong communities, and the ability to build a fulfilling personal and professional life without constant tradeoffs.
Yes. Relocation assistance is available for out-of-state candidates, and we’re happy to share insights on neighborhoods, housing, and settling into the area.
