Economic Evaluation of Cataract: A Systematic Mapping Review

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Health Economics
• Public Health

Background:

• Cataract surgery is a common procedure with significant societal impact.
• Economic evaluations are crucial for understanding the value of healthcare interventions.
• Existing literature on economic evaluations of cataracts requires comprehensive review.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and map the existing literature on economic evaluations of cataracts.
• To identify research gaps and inconsistencies in the current body of evidence.
• To provide a classification framework for future economic evaluations in this field.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across major databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CRD).
• Mapping review methodology to categorize and analyze included studies.
• Descriptive analysis of publication trends, geographical distribution, and research focus.

Main Results:

• 56 studies were included from 984 screened, with a notable increase in publications over the last decade.
• Cataract surgery and intraocular lenses (IOLs) were the most frequently studied areas.
• Key research areas included surgical techniques, costs, quality of life, waiting times, and IOL comparisons (monofocal vs. multifocal, toric vs. monofocal).

Conclusions:

• Cataract surgery is a cost-effective intervention compared to other treatments.
• Surgery waiting time is a critical factor due to the broad societal impact of vision loss.
• Significant gaps and inconsistencies necessitate further research, guided by the established classification.