Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
08:30
Glaucoma-inducing Procedure in an In Vivo Rat Model and Whole-mount Retina Preparation
Published on: March 12, 2016
Medicare Payment to Service Volume Elasticities for Glaucoma Procedures From 2013 to 2021
Rita Vought1, Victoria Vought1, Albert S Khouri1
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA, rutgers.edu.
Journal of Ophthalmology
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Medicare payment changes significantly impact glaucoma procedure volumes. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) showed the highest responsiveness, indicating reimbursement influences surgical adoption.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Health Economics
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Glaucoma is a primary cause of irreversible blindness globally.
- Medicare payments are a critical factor influencing patient access to and utilization of glaucoma procedures.
- Understanding the payment-volume relationship is essential for healthcare policy and patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Medicare reimbursement rates and the volume of glaucoma procedures performed.
- To quantify the elasticity of service volume in response to changes in Medicare payments for various glaucoma surgeries.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective longitudinal analysis of Medicare Part B National Summary Data Files (2013-2021).
- Examined trends in service volumes, average payments, and practicing ophthalmologists.
- Calculated payment-volume elasticities to measure procedural volume changes per 1% change in reimbursement.
Main Results:
- Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgeries (MIGS) demonstrated the highest payment-volume elasticity (4.67%), indicating significant sensitivity to reimbursement.
- Traditional Glaucoma Surgeries (TGS) showed a lower elasticity (1.96%), with volume decreasing as payments decreased.
- Specific procedures like goniotomy and aqueous drainage device implantation also exhibited high payment sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Medicare payment adjustments significantly correlate with the utilization of glaucoma procedures.
- Reimbursement policies for MIGS may influence their adoption and availability, potentially impacting clinical decision-making.
- Findings highlight the need to consider economic factors in glaucoma care delivery and access strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...