Presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, November 2001.
Received 15 October 2001; accepted 6 May 2002.
Abstract
Objective
Evaluation of the incremental cost-effectiveness of therapy for amblyopia.
Design
Cost-utility reference-case analysis.
Methods
A cost-utility analysis was performed from a third-party insurer perspective by using decision analysis, evidence-based data from the literature, and patient preference-based time trade-off utility values.
Database
Patient-derived time trade-off ocular utility values and the American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Pattern guidelines for the treatment of amblyopia.
Intervention
Treatment of childhood amblyopia using medical and surgical therapies per the American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Pattern.
Main outcome measure
Dollars (year 2001 nominal U.S. dollars) expended per quality-adjusted life-year ($/QALY) gained.
Results
Treatment for amblyopia resulted in a $/QALY gained of $2281 with a discount rate of 3% for costs and outcomes. Sensitivity analysis, varying costs and utility values by 10%, resulted in a $/QALY gained range from $2053 to $2509.
Conclusions
When compared with other interventions in health care, therapy for amblyopia seems to be highly cost-effective. This information is increasingly important for health care policy makers.
1Center for Evidence-Based Health Care Economics, Flourtown, Pennsylvania, USA
2Department of Ophthalmology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
3Departments of Ophthalmology and Epidemiology, the Ocular Cost-Effective Health Policy Unit, Queens Medical College, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
4Pediatric Ophthalmology and the Center for Adult Strabismus, Dallas, Texas, USA
5Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
Reprint requests to Melissa M. Brown, MD, MN, Center for Evidence-Based Health Care Economics, 1107 Bethlehem Pike, Suite 210, Flourtown, PA 19031, USA.
ABSTRACT