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The article focuses on the issues of interest to retinal specialists, in 2007. The article concentrates primarily on wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and the established and upcoming treatments for this disease. The article mentions the decision of Genentech Inc. to stop selling bevacizumab. The author expects that combination therapies for AMD will remain of high interest for retinal specialists.

This article reports that retina specialists are still searching for more effective for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) therapies. The excitement in retina during the past year has been about the promise ofthe development of more effective treatments for AMD. Among other developments, various technologies and procedures have been refmed, making diagnosis of retinal diseases and surgery easier. The evaluations of three major therapies that are in trials represent a purely pharmacologic approach to the treatment of wet AMD.

Examines the application of management theories to medical practice. Management as an art; Five key functions of management; Tips in decision making; Layers of management.

Reports on the oversupply of physicians in the United States and its impact on ophthalmology. Correlation between reducing cost of medical care and physician supply; Trends in medical practice; Growing income for general practitioners; Decreasing income for specialists.

Offers advice on practice management for ophthalmologists in the United States. Taking advantage of the consolidation trend in the managed care industry; Capitalizing on physician networks; Focus on integration and practice effective cost accounting for expense reduction. INSET: The ups and downs of going public..

Offers tips in building eyecare provider networks in the United States. Requirement of understanding requirements of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA); Hiring someone with NCQA experience; Importance of physician credentialing. INSET: Physician credentialing--how to do it..

Editorial. Focuses on the US Health Care Financing Administration's imposition of a plan for physicians' fees. Percentage cuts on ophthalmic surgical procedures; Organizations questioning the validity of the proposed methodology; HCFA's neglect to consider the high cost of state-of-the-art equipment; Inaccuracy of allocating indirect cost based on staff time only; HCFA's planned release of study results.

Offers tips on managing an ophthalmic practice. Importance of planning; Identification of customer segment; Valuation of the practice; Implementation of cost-price strategy; Other helpful strategies.