The macroeconomics of vitreoretinal diseases.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review is to examine the macroeconomics of vitreoretinal diseases.


RESULTS
Approximately 6% of the Medicare Part B expenditure was spent on ocular diseases and 0.3% on vitreoretinal interventions. Among the 17,674 practicing ophthalmologists, 1849 (10.5%) designated themselves as specializing in the treatment of vitreoretinal diseases. Ophthalmologists receive 38% of their payments from Medicare; 13% of their total income were capitated. Age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, two conditions commonly treated by vitreoretinal specialists, are projected to affect more than 10 million people in 2020.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitreoretinal interventions account for only a small portion of the total health care expenditure. The rising demand from the aging population and health care costs will continue to put pressure on all physicians and society. The changes in the sources of payment and managed care will directly affect the economics of a physician's practice.
Ko
George J
GJ
Department of Ophthalmology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA. kog01@temple.edu
Brown
Melissa M
MM
Brown
Gary C
GC
D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000191:economics*; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006801:Humans; D016345:Medicare Part B / Q000191:economics; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000191:economics; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000191:economics*; D014822:Vitreous Body