Cost-Effectiveness of Preoperative OCT in Cataract Evaluation for Multifocal Intraocular Lens

To determine the cost effectiveness of an adjunctive screening OCT during the preoperative evaluation of a patient considering cataract surgery with a multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

Cost-effectiveness analysis.

A 67-year-old man with 20/60 vision undergoing evaluation for first-eye cataract surgery.

The cost-effectiveness analysis of the reference patient undergoing a preoperative cataract examination with and without a screening OCT was performed, evaluating for vitreoretinal diseases including an epiretinal membrane, age-related macular degeneration, vitreomacular traction, and cystoid macular edema. It was assumed that patients with macular pathologies detected before surgery would receive a monofocal IOL and be referred to a retina specialist for evaluation and management. The Medicare reimbursable cost of an OCT was $41.81. All costs and benefits were adjusted for inflation to 2019 United States dollars and discounted 3% per annum over a 16-year time horizon. Probability sensitivity analyses and 1-way deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed to assess for uncertainty.

Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio and incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).

Approximately 20.5% of patients undergoing cataract surgery may have macular pathologies, of which 11% may not be detected on the initial clinical examination. In the base case, an adjunctive preoperative OCT was cost effective from a third-party payer and societal perspective in the United States. In the probability sensitivity analyses, the ICURs were within the societal willingness-to-pay threshold of $50 000/QALY in approximately 64.4% of the clinical scenarios.

A preoperative screening OCT during the evaluation of a patient considering a multifocal IOL added to the costs of the cataract surgery, but the OCT increased the detection of macular pathologies and improved the QALYs over time. An adjunctive screening OCT can be cost effective from a third-party payer and societal perspective.