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The article focuses on the combined therapy in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration in the U.S. These combined treatments include laser and medications including the intravitreal Kenalog, monotherapy regimen and the use of cancer chemotherapeutic anti-vascular endothelial growth factor. It also describes how to maximize the efficiency of the treatment and to minimize intraocular risk during surgery.

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.