How will the ophthalmologist of the future practice? What will be the effect of government policy? How will this impact the mix of health care providers responsible for the delivery of eye care to patients? What part will health record technology play in clinical practice? These topics were discussed at the Knapp Symposium of the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Ophthalmological Society. The health care system within which ophthalmology will be practiced will be radically different, ruled by changes in collaboration, communication, and practice guidelines. Given the coming uncertainty of our professional lives, it is vital that we anticipate, contemplate, and plan for our futures.