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BMC Ophthalmology 2008
Modelling lifetime cost consequences of ReSTOR? in cataract surgery in four European countriesAbstract: A Markov model was created to follow patient cohorts from cataract surgery until death. Prevalence rates of patients not needing spectacles after cataract surgery were obtained from clinical trials. Resource utilisation included implant surgery, IOLs, spectacles, visits to ophthalmologists and eye centres, transport, and time lost by patients. Economic perspectives were those of Society and Sickness Funds (SFs).The mean number of spectacles purchased after ReSTOR? was 1.34–1.61 and after monofocal IOLs 6.05–7.27. From the societal perspective, total cost estimates discounted by 3% were between €3,551 and €4,052 with ReSTOR? compared to €3,989 and €5,548 with monofocal IOLs. Undiscounted savings related to ReSTOR? ranged from €815 to €2,164. From the SFs' perspective total cost estimates discounted by 3% were between €2,150 and €2,524 with ReSTOR? compared to €2,324 and €2,610 with monofocal IOLs. Savings related to ReSTOR?, once costs discounted, ranged from €61 to €219. Discount and spectacle freedom prevalence rates were the most sensitive parameters.The bulk of the savings related to ReSTOR? were realized outside the SF. From both a societal and SF perspective, savings, after a 3% discounting, achieved by liberating patients from spectacles counterbalanced the initially higher cost of ReSTOR?. ReSTOR? is a cost saving alternative to spectacles for patients requiring cataract surgery.Typical senile cataract progresses slowly and can cause vision loss if untreated. An estimated 20.5 million (17.2%) Americans older than 40 years have a cataract in at least one eye [1].While cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world [2,3] most developed Western populations have access to cataract surgery (e.g., 6.1 million American citizens (5.1%) have pseudo-phakia/aphakia). The total number of Americans with cataract is predicted to increase to 30.1 million by 2020 and of these 9.5 million are expected to have pseudo- phakia/aphakia [1].More than 80% of patients regai
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