Major ambulatory surgery of the ophthalmic patient.

Ophthalmology, by means of its increased technologic abilities, has been a driving force in the movement toward ambulatory surgery over the past decade. In appropriate situations, nearly any ophthalmic procedure can be done in an outpatient setting. However, even though ophthalmic advances have helped the push toward ambulatory procedures, the future cohesiveness, as well as the superb patient care of ophthalmology, may be threatened in the pressure for cost reductions and efficiency.