Benchmarks
Ophthalmology financial benchmarks
How does your ophthalmology practice compare? Key metrics cited to specialty association data and cross-checked against Sorso client engagements.
Benchmarks are published industry ranges and Sorso-observed ranges from our client engagements. They are directional, not prescriptive — use them as a starting point for diagnosis, not a target.
Data reflects 2024 reporting cycles where available, with 2023 data used when a newer survey has not yet been published.
Profit Margin
30%
Range: 25%–35%
Overhead Ratio
70%
Range: 65%–75%
Revenue / Provider
$1000K–$2000K
Annual range
Collection Rate
93%
Range: 91%–95%
Denial Rate
8%
Range: 6%–10%
A/R Days
28 days
Range: 22–38 days
Source: Industry benchmarks compiled from MGMA, specialty association surveys, and practice management databases. Updated 2026.
How your practice compares
Where the money goes
| Category | % | Description |
|---|---|---|
| staffing | 46% | Clinical and administrative staff wages, benefits, and payroll taxes |
| rent | 9% | Facility lease, utilities, and maintenance costs |
| supplies | 8% | Clinical supplies, office supplies, and consumables |
| equipment | 15% | Equipment leases, maintenance, and depreciation |
| marketing | 5% | Digital advertising, website, patient acquisition |
| insurance | 6% | Malpractice, general liability, and property insurance |
| Other | 11% | IT, professional fees, continuing education, miscellaneous |
Payer mix
Typical payer distribution for ophthalmology practices. A balanced payer mix reduces dependency on any single source and improves revenue predictability.
Collection rates by payer
What top performers look like
Profit Margin
38%+ (ASOA Financial Benchmarks, 2024)
Collection Rate
96%+ (ASCRS Clinical Survey, 2024)
Denial Rate
< 5% (ASOA Financial Benchmarks, 2024)
A/R Days
< 20 days (ASOA Financial Benchmarks, 2024)
KPIs specific to ophthalmology
| KPI | Benchmark | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Cases per Month | 40–80 (ASCRS Clinical Survey, 2024) | Monthly surgical volume per surgeon; cataracts and refractive cases drive premium revenue |
| Premium IOL Conversion Rate | 15–25% (Market Scope Cataract Surgery Market Report, 2023; ASCRS Clinical Survey) | Percentage of cataract patients choosing premium (out-of-pocket) intraocular lenses; national average is 15–18%, with top-quartile practices reaching 25%+ |
| Optical Revenue per Patient | $120–$200 (ASOA Financial Benchmarks, 2024) | Revenue from eyewear and contact lens sales per patient; high-margin ancillary stream |
| ASC Facility Fee Capture Rate | 90–95% (AAO IRIS Registry; ASOA, 2024) | Percentage of eligible surgeries performed in the practice's own ambulatory surgery center |
From Sorso
In the ophthalmology groups Sorso works with, premium IOL conversion and ASC capture are the two dials that matter most — moving conversion from 25% to 35% typically adds 4–6 points of EBITDA.
Sources
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) — Clinical Survey (2024)
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) — IRIS Registry (2024)
- American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators (ASOA) — Financial Benchmarks (2024)
- CMS Physician Fee Schedule (ophthalmic procedure codes, 2024)
Data reflects the latest available specialty association and MGMA reports through 2025; re-verified April 2026.
Founder of Sorso. 18 years in corporate finance. Managed a $450M loan portfolio before building a fractional CFO firm exclusively for healthcare clinics.
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