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A cost minimisation analysis comparing iStent accompanying cataract surgery and selective laser trabeculoplasty versus topical glaucoma medications in a public healthcare setting in New Zealand

  • Glaucoma
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Abstract

Purpose

To produce an economic comparison of the iStent ab interno trabecular microbypass implant accompanying cataract surgery and selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) as first-line treatment versus topical medications for open-angle glaucoma in New Zealand in 2016.

Methods

The current annual costs of 19 available fully subsidised topical glaucoma medications by Pharmaceutical Management Agency (Pharmac) in 2016 were identified. Adjustments for pharmacist prescribing charges and previously described wastage levels were applied. The costs to perform iStent implantation and the cost to perform SLT were obtained from the local distributors, with the latter taking into account staff and consumable cost. Procedure costs divided by eye drops’ cost produced a break-even level in equivalent years of eye drops use.

Results

The range of annual eye drop cost was NZD$42.25 to NZD$485.11, with an average of NZD$144.81. Comparison of annual eye drop cost with iStent cost revealed 3 of 19 (15.8%) drops breaking even within 5 years, 9 of 19 (47.3%) within 10 years, and 12 of 19 (63.2%) within 15 years. The cost of bilateral SLT performed by a consultant was NZD$102.30 (breaking even in 0.71 years). The equivalent cost for a registrar was NZD$97.59 (breaking even in 0.67 years).

Conclusion

Economically, the iStent would appear to be a reasonably cost-effective treatment for glaucoma patients undergoing cataract surgery in a public healthcare setting in New Zealand, particularly for those using more expensive topical glaucoma medications, whilst SLT appears to be a worthwhile consideration as a first-line treatment for glaucoma in New Zealand.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Scott Morgan for data and biostatistical consultation.

Funding

No funding was received for this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ophthalmology Department, Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Hastings, New Zealand

    Kelvin Ngan, Ewan Fraser & Alex Buller

  2. Ophthalmology Department, Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand

    Kelvin Ngan

  3. The Eye Surgery, Hastings, New Zealand

    Sophie Buller

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  1. Kelvin Ngan
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Correspondence to Kelvin Ngan.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors.

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Ngan, K., Fraser, E., Buller, S. et al. A cost minimisation analysis comparing iStent accompanying cataract surgery and selective laser trabeculoplasty versus topical glaucoma medications in a public healthcare setting in New Zealand. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 256, 2181–2189 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-018-4104-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-018-4104-8

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