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Cost-effectiveness of cataract surgery in Japan

  • Clinical Investigation
  • Published:
Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of cataract surgery through measurement of the cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) in Japan.

Methods

A total of 549 patients scheduled for cataract surgery at 12 clinical sites from November 2008 through February 2010 were included in the study. Prospective assessment of patient preference-based quality of life (utility) was performed before and after the surgery using the time tradeoff method, EuroQol, and Health Utilities Index Mark 3. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the correlation between utility and visual acuity. The QALYs gained through cataract surgery were estimated, and cost-utility analysis was performed.

Results

The utilities significantly correlated with the visual acuity in the better seeing eye. In all the subgroups (first eye surgery, second eye surgery, and bilateral surgery), mean utility improvement was statistically significant. Average QALYs for unilateral cataract surgery and bilateral cataract surgery were 2.40 and 3.40, respectively. The cost per QALY gained from surgery was estimated at ¥122,472 (US $1,307) for unilateral surgery and ¥145,562 (US $1,553) for bilateral surgery.

Conclusions

Routine cataract surgery in Japan is highly cost-effective. Factors that contribute to this are the high clinical effectiveness of the surgery, the substantial improvement in patient-perceived quality of life, and the reasonable cost of the surgery.

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Acknowledgment

This study was funded by research grants from the Japan National Society for the Prevention of Blindness.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

    Consortia

    Eye Care Comparative Effectiveness Research Team (ECCERT)

    Additional information

    This article is from the Eye Care Comparative Effectiveness Research Team (ECCERT). Address correspondence to: Yoshimune Hiratsuka, Department of Management Sciences, National Institute of Public Health, 2-3-6 Minami, Wako, Saitama 351-0197, Japan, e-mail: yoshi-h@tkf.att.ne.jp

    Appendix

    Appendix

    The Eye Care Comparative Effectiveness Research Team (ECCERT)

    The following individuals participated in this study.

    Corresponding author: Yoshimune Hiratsuka.

    Writing Committee: Yoshimune Hiratsuka, Masakazu Yamada, Akira Murakami, Annabelle Ayame Okada, Hidetoshi Yamashita, Yuichi Ohashi, Naoya Yamagishi, Hiroshi Tamura, Shunichi Fukuhara, and Tomoyuki Takura.

    The Study Group Investigators and the Clinical Sites:

    Eguchi Ganka Hospital, Hokkaido: Shuichiro Eguchi.

    Iwate Medical University, Iwate: Daijiro Kurosaka.

    Yamagata University, Yamagata: Hidetoshi Yamashita.

    National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo: Masakazu Yamada.

    Kyorin Eye Center, Tokyo: Annabelle Ayame Okada.

    Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo: Akira Murakami, Koichi Ono.

    Juntendo Tokyo Koto Geriatric Medical Center, Tokyo: Yoshimune Hiratsuka, Kenichi Takahashi.

    Shohzankai Medical Foundation Miyake Eye Hospital, Nagoya: Sampei Miyake.

    National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center, Nagoya: Hiroshi Hirose.

    National Hospital Organization Osaka Medical Center, Osaka: Yasumasa Otori.

    Kyoto University, Kyoto: Nagahisa Yoshimura, Hiroshi Tamura.

    Ehime University, Ehime: Yuichi Ohashi, Toshihiko Uno, Yasuaki Yamamoto.

    Central Unit: National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo: Masakazu Yamada.

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    Eye Care Comparative Effectiveness Research Team (ECCERT). Cost-effectiveness of cataract surgery in Japan. Jpn J Ophthalmol 55, 333–342 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-011-0041-3

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10384-011-0041-3

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