Related Experiment Videos
Keratoconus in the Medicare population
Sherman W Reeves1, Leon B Ellwein, Terry Kim
1Minnesota Eye Consultants, Minneapolis, MN 55404, USA. swreeves@mneye.com
Purpose:
To investigate the population-based prevalence of keratoconus in US individuals aged 65 years and older.
Design:
Multiyear retrospective cross-sectional claims analysis.
Methods:
Fee-for-service claims from a 5% national sample of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older were reviewed. Claims records were queried on an annual basis for the years 1999 through 2003 for ICD-9 codes specific to keratoconus. The number of beneficiaries with keratoconus-related claims was counted for each calendar year.
Results:
The number of beneficiaries receiving care for keratoconus rose steadily from 15.7/100,000 beneficiaries in 1999 to 18.5/100,000 in 2003, averaging 17.5/100,000 across the 5 years of the study. Keratoconus rates declined with increasing age but did not differ by gender. Keratoconus care was more prevalent in whites than in other races.
Conclusions:
Keratoconus is an uncommon disease in the Medicare population. Longitudinal analysis of Medicare claims data may provide a useful tool for monitoring uncommon diseases, such as keratoconus, in the elderly.
Related Concept Videos
Glaucoma: Overview
Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
Focusing of Light in the Eye