Doctors responding to Ophthalmology Management’s income survey primarily blamed third-party plans for their economic woes, with Medicare running a close second. Feelings about competition from chains, O.D.s and other M.D.s was much more mixed; some even saw competition from other M.D.s as a positive force.

Those who fared batter in '98 credited:

• growth of population and increased patient visits
• increased productivity
• delayed purchases
• increased referrals
• increased refractive surgery and forensic evaluations
• adding a new doctor to the practice.

For more information, refer to the original article in the March 1999 issue of Ophthalmology Management.