Economic Cost Analysis of Acanthamoeba Keratitis Among Contact Lens Wearers

This study aimed to estimate direct and indirect economic costs associated with Acanthamoeba keratitis and explore variations in individual and healthcare characteristics.

Patients treated at Moorfields Eye Hospital, UK, between January 2011 and August 2014 were surveyed. Patients were included if they had a confirmed diagnosis and wore contact lenses. Direct costs included healthcare expenses, whereas indirect costs encompassed lost wages for patients and caregivers. The Mann-Whitney U test and generalized linear models were used to analyze cost data and their associated factors, with P <0.05 being considered statistically significant.

A total of 73 patients were included, with a mean age of 39.3 years (19-81); 40 patients (54.8%) were female, and 41 (56.2%) had good outcomes. Median direct, indirect, and total costs were £2,966.5 (IQR £5,553.2), £1,776.0 (IQR £3,223.3), and £6,678.6 (IQR £17,268.4), respectively. Higher direct costs were independently associated with multiple medical visits ( P <0.001), steroids before antiamoeba therapy ( P =0.042), and keratoplasty ( P <0.001).

The cost of managing Acanthamoeba keratitis is substantial. Future research should focus on optimizing treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes to help alleviate the financial burden on patients and healthcare systems.