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To the Editor.
—The article entitled "Future Requirements for and Supply of Ophthalmologists: What Do the Forecasts Show?" by Trobe and Kilpatrick in the January Archives(1982;100:61-66) relates the uncertainty of projecting manpower needs for ophthalmologists in the coming decade. Whatever the merits of various statistics, it is apparent that large metropolitan centers have at least an adequate supply of private ophthalmologists caring for the middle class.While an excess number of physicians will likely lead to a stabilization or possibly a reduction in income for the individual practitioner, the financial question need not be the most crucial. One tends to adjust one's lifestyle to one's income, and the gratifications of a profession need not necessarily be linked to the financial reward. More important, as the authors have indicated, a physician surplus may lead to demoralization in a group of highly trained professionals whose talents would now be underused. This