Private equity in ophthalmology: lessons from other specialties

In the absence of long-term data of the effects of private equity in ophthalmology, this article reviews the role of private equity in other medical specialties as a guide to the future for ophthalmology.

Across an array of medical specialties, including anesthesiology, dermatology, emergency medicine, ophthalmology/optometry, radiology, and urology, medical practices are being consolidated into a few larger platform groups. Although there has been a short-term financial success for both private equity firms and senior medical practice partners, there exists broad skepticism from peer-reviewed publications and the national media.

Although the impact of private equity on ophthalmology is largely speculative, ophthalmology may follow some of the trends observed in other medical specialties. These trends include increased volume of services, increased profits, improved payer mix, increased payment per patient visit, increased use of midlevel practitioners, decreased physician autonomy, and decreased physician salaries.