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Cost effectiveness of the type II Boston keratoprosthesis
J D Ament1, T P Stryjewski, S Pujari
1Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. jaredament@post.harvard.edu
Eye (London, England)
|December 25, 2010
Summary
Type II Boston keratoprosthesis (KPro) surgery is cost-effective for patients with severe dry eye or cicatricial diseases unresponsive to traditional treatments. This corneal implant offers a viable option, potentially reducing healthcare costs.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Health Economics
Background:
- Corneal disorders, including those from autoimmune diseases like Stevens-Johnson syndrome, often limit vision.
- Traditional corneal transplantation and Type I Boston keratoprosthesis (KPro) are not suitable for all patients.
- Type II KPro offers an alternative for severe dry eye and cicatricial diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the cost-effectiveness of Type II Boston keratoprosthesis (KPro) implantation.
- To evaluate the economic value of Type II KPro for patients with specific corneal conditions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 29 patients undergoing Type II KPro surgery (2000-2009).
- Analysis included 11 patients with 5-year follow-up data.
- Cost-utility analysis comparing Type II KPro with no further intervention from a Medicare perspective.
Main Results:
- The cost utility of Type II KPro was calculated at $63,196 per quality-adjusted life year.
- This metric indicates the economic value from a third-party payer's viewpoint.
Conclusions:
- Type II KPro surgery demonstrates cost-effectiveness for specific patient populations.
- Referring appropriate patients for Type II KPro may reduce overall patient and societal healthcare expenditures.
- This approach can optimize resource allocation in managing complex corneal diseases.