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 $2509. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with other interventions in health care, therapy for amblyopia seems to be highly cost-effective. This information is increasingly important for health care policy makers.
OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the incremental cost-effectiveness of therapy for amblyopia. DESIGN: Cost-utility reference-case analysis. METHODS: A cost-utility analysis was performed from a third-party insurer perspective by using decision analysis, evidence-based data from the literature, and patient preference-based time trade-off utility values. DATABASE: Patient-derived time trade-off ocular utility values and the American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Pattern guidelines for the treatment of amblyopia. INTERVENTION: Treatment of childhood amblyopia using medical and surgical therapies per the American Academy of Ophthalmology Preferred Practice Pattern. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Dollars (year 2001 nominal U.S. dollars) expended per quality-adjusted life-year ($/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.
Authors: Gary C Brown; Melissa M Brown; Sanjay Sharma; Heidi Brown; Lindsay Smithen; David B Leeser; George Beauchamp Journal: Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc Date: 2004
Authors: Ewa Niechwiej-Szwedo; Herbert C Goltz; Manokaraananthan Chandrakumar; Zahra A Hirji; Agnes M F Wong Journal: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci Date: 2010-07-29 Impact factor: 4.799