Issues in establishing rural ophthalmic surgery centers.

Citizens of rural communities suffer from a lack of specialized medical care. A large percentage of these citizens are elderly people who require more eye care than the rest of the population. These factors point to a need for outreach rural ophthalmic surgery centers. The author has been involved in the establishment of satellite ophthalmic outpatient surgical centers in the outlying communities of Arizona and shares insight into the procedure through a discussion of the various issues encountered in this experience.