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Reports on products and technologies exhibited during the American Academy of Ophthalmology's 1994 annual meeting in San Francisco, California. Includes products from Iovision Inc.; New World Medical Inc.'s Ahmed Glaucoma Valve; Howard Instruments Inc.'s James II bipolar coagulator.

Announces the top ranking ophthalmology programs in the United States in the survey of the periodical `Ophthalmology Times.' Ranking of the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University; Best research; Best patient care; Best residency program.

Discusses the potential of telemedicine to extend big-city medical expertise to rural patient settings. Contracts announced by the National Coordination Office for High Performance Computing and Communications and the National Library of Medicine; Application of very-high-speed networks to ophthalmology; Observations of vitreoretinal surgeon Steven Charles on the directions of telemedicine.

Reports on the concerns of ophthalmologists on the rule changes in Medicare billing. `Ophthalmology Times' magazine's survey on the problems caused by rule changes; Effects of the growth of managed care and emphasis on business skills in medical care; Percentage of ophthalmologists' practice which is related to Medicare; Growth of electronic billing.

Reports on the growth of refractive surgery market. Details in the increased number of refractive procedures performed in the United States; Number of laser-trained ophthalmologists and refractive surgeons; Average price per procedure; Information on discount pricing.

Looks at the potential role of the Internet in adding patient volume to an ophthalmology practice. Internet usage by ophthalmologists; Tips on building an effective Web site to boost efficiency and productivity of a practice; Effect of the Internet on a practice's communications with patients.

Offers advice from John Grande, president of Grande Financial Services Inc., to any investor planning retirement. Why making investment assumptions causes problems; First step in designing an appropriate withdrawal strategy; Why using a fixed percentage withdrawal helps manage risk; Suggestions for designing an allocation that best suits specific overall financial situation.

Deals with the increasing popularity of low-cost ambulatory surgery center (ASC) among ophthalmologists in the United States. Composition of a low-cost ASC; Laws regulating ASC usage; Reasons ophthalmologists clamor for a change of scenery; Political and market considerations that ophthalmologists need to weigh.

Offers tips on managing the accounts receivable (AR) of an ophthalmology practice. Importance of defining AR roles and responsibilities; Components of the AR manual; Significance of patient communication in AR management; Ways of ensuring the accuracy of insurance claims.

Reports on the partnership of Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the United States Health Care Financing Administration to increase the dilated eye examination rate among Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes. Importance of annual dilated eye examination; Efforts to raise public awareness on connection between blindness and diabetes.

Reports on the venture of eye surgeon Robert Sinskey into the wine manufacturing business. Background information on Robert Sinskey Vineyards; How Sinskey's interest in wine started; Standards set on wines being produced. INSET: ... And then there's the Sinskey Hook.

Part I. Cites a study conducted by `Ophthalmology Times' on the decline in ophthalmologists' patient access. Increase in competition with optometrists as factor behind drop in patient accessibility; Harm done to patient's health by optometrists.

Reports on the purchasing plans of ophthalmologists in the United States for 1995. Disposable surgical equipment; Contact lenses and accessories; Hottest items.

Introduces Kera-I-Shields, a line of eyewear products designed for post-LASIK/post-cataract protection. Benefits claimed for Kera-I-Shields; Factor that inspired the cosmetic and comfort considerations behind the products; Features of the products.

Reports on the increasing number of ophthalmologists in the United States who are merging their practices. Factors that motivate ophthalmologists to merge their practices; Mergers of hospitals and other health care institutions; Drawbacks of big mergers.

Features two physicians, Ronald E. Posner and William Baer, and their reasons for networking. Independent Physicians Associations networks formed by doctors; Long-term experience of Posner; Worries faced by Baer.

Reports on the difficulties in expanding the practice of small ophthalmic offices in the United States. Search for compatible information systems; Commodity management of patient care; Effects of views on the practice; Expansion towards managed care capabilities.

Features Richard Ruckman, an ophthalmologist based in Luftkin, Tex. Ruckman's expansion into the radial keratotomy (RK) business; Factors for Ruckman's decision.

Focuses on the business opportunities of the practice of radial keratotomy (RK) in the United States. Factors to be considered in the establishment of RK practice; Comments from Alan J. DeCorte, executive director of the Williamson Eye Center in Baton Rouge, Los Angeles, Calif.

Focuses on the strategies of eye centers in the United States to market their radial keratotomy (RK) services. Components of the marketing strategies; Typologies of marketing. INSET: The refractive explosion..

Focuses on the view of Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists executive Gary M. Mulloy on the contact lens business of the United States. Invitation to the industry and practitioner to work together; Achievements; Statistics of contact lens users in the United States; Insight on business opportunity; Effect of the availability of surgery on eye care options. INSET: Counting the numbers..

Presents an interview with Thomas C. White on the source of technologies displayed during the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting and the other possible innovations in the future. Leader in ophthalmic technologies; Area for possible technological progress.