Is first eye cataract surgery cost effective?

First eye cataract surgery is probably more cost-effective over a patient's remaining lifetime than if they have no surgery at all.

First eye cataract surgery is probably more cost-effective over a patient's remaining lifetime than if they have no surgery at all, according to a study published in the December issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Tracey Sach and colleagues from the University of East Anglia, UK evaluated the cost-effectiveness of first eye cataract surgery compared with no surgery from a health service and personal social services perspective. A sample of 306 women aged 70 years or older with bilateral cataracts were randomized to cataract surgery (expedited) or control (routine 12-month wait for surgery).

The operated group cost a mean £2,004 (approx. €2,800) more than the control group over one year. However, they experienced an average 0.456 fewer falls, an incremental cost per fall prevented of £4,390 (approx. €6,150). The mean gain in quality of life years (QALYs) per patient was 0.056. The incremental cost-utility ratio was £35,704 (approx. €50,000), above the currently accepted UK threshold level of willingness to pay per QALY of £30,000 (approx. €42,000). However, in an analysis modelling costs and benefits over a patients' expected lifetime, the incremental cost per QALY was £13,172 (approx. €18,500) under conservative assumptions.

According to the researchers, although first eye cataract surgery was not cost-effective over the trial period, it is probably more cost-effective over a patients' remaining lifetime, than if they had no surgery at all.

Related Videos
Trukera Medical rebranding ushers in new era of expansion into cornea market
Investigators report positive visual outcomes one year after monocular implantation of small aperture IOL
Investigating better indications and outcomes in laser refractive surgery
Avoiding errors when converting to DMEK
Related Content
© 2023 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.