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Br J Ophthalmol 2004;88:1163-1168 doi:10.1136/bjo.2003.035527
  • Clinical science
    • Extended reports

Cost effectiveness of foldable multifocal intraocular lenses compared to foldable monofocal intraocular lenses for cataract surgery

  1. M G T Dolders1,2,
  2. M D Nijkamp2,3,
  3. R M M A Nuijts4,
  4. B van den Borne2,5,
  5. F Hendrikse3,4,
  6. A Ament1,2,
  7. W Groot1,2
  1. 1Maastricht University, Department of Health Organisation, Policy and Economics (HOPE), Maastricht, Netherlands
  2. 2Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht, Netherlands
  3. 3Eye Research Institute Maastricht (ERIM), Maastricht, Netherlands
  4. 4University Hospital Maastricht, Department of Ophthalmology, Maastricht, Netherlands
  5. 5Maastricht University, Department of Health Education, Maastricht, Netherlands
  1. Correspondence to: M G T Dolders, MHSc Maastricht University, Department of Health Organisation, Policy and Economics - UNS 40, PO Box 616, 6200 Maastricht, Netherlands; m.doldersbeoz.unimaas.nl
  • Accepted 1 January 2004

Abstract

Aim: To analyse the cost effectiveness of foldable monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) compared to foldable multifocal IOLs in cataract surgery alongside a prospective, multicentre randomised clinical trial (RCT).

Methods: Patients underwent cataract surgery with bilateral monofocal (n = 97) or multifocal (n = 93) IOL implantation. Cost data and patient preferences, using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the time trade-off (TTO), and the standard gamble (SG) technique were obtained preoperatively and postoperatively by structured interviews. The incremental costs (multifocal minus monofocal), mean costs per patient, and differences in preferences were computed.

Results: Mean costs for glasses per patient in the monofocal group were €41.67 and in the multifocal group €149.58. The difference in costs between the multifocal and monofocal group was €−92.09 and was statistically significant (p = 0.008). No significant differences were found in total costs or in effectiveness between the monofocal and multifocal IOL group.

Conclusion: The cost effectiveness of multifocal IOLs is reduced to a cost minimisation analysis, because of the inability to demonstrate significant differences in effects. The use of multifocal IOLs in cataract surgery resulted in a significant reduction in costs for patient’s postoperative spectacles.

Footnotes

  • The authors have not received any financial support.

  • The authors have no financial or propriety interest related to this article.

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