Health economics issues

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the cost and cost‐effectiveness of the simultaneous bilateral cataract surgery compared to sequential bilateral cataract surgery. Methods: Design: Helsinki Simultaneous Bilateral Cataract Surgery Study. Prospective randomized comparative trial.Participants: 520 patients scheduled for bilateral cataract surgery were selected based on strict inclusion criteria to be operated in one session or sequentially one month apart. In both groups every second patient was included in the economic cost analysis.Methods: The costs were evaluated from the societal perspective, taking into account health and non‐health care costs in both groups. The cost of surgery, complications, outpatient visits, medication, travel, patient's and care‐taker's time and possible home nurse visits were evaluated. The cost data was obtained from the participant questionnaires and phone interviews at 3 months, hospital cost data and public statistics. The effectiveness was evaluated based on VF‐7 and 15‐D scores.Main Outcome Measures: The cost of simultaneous vs. sequential bilateral surgery per treated patient. The cost‐ effectiveness of simultaneous bilateral surgery compared to sequential bilateral cataract surgery. Economic sensitivity analysis was carried on all main results. Results: The preliminary results show, that cost per treated patient was lower in the simultaneous bilateral cataract surgery group. The effectiveness was similar in both groups. Conclusions: Simultaneous bilateral cataract surgery is cost‐ effective procedure. If additionally the treatment processes are tailored to simultaneous bilateral surgery, more cost savings can be achieved. The proportion of bilateral cataract patients operated in one session has a substantial effect on the use of health care and non‐health care resources in the society.