Posters

Impact of surgery cost on patient acceptance of multifocal intraocular lenses: multi-site questionnaire survey of Japanese candidate patients

Poster Details

First Author: K.Minami JAPAN

Co Author(s):    H. Bissen-Miyajima   T. Kanzaki   N. Yoshida              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

In Japan, the use of approved multifocal intraocular lens (MF-IOL) is not covered by federal insurance and the cost of surgery is out of pocket. Under this circumstance, the prevalence of MF-IOL implantations is limited under 2 % of total cataract surgeries. The impact of the surgery cost on patient acceptance of MF-IOL was assessed in candidate patients for cataract surgery with MF-IOL implantation through a multi-site questionnaire survey.

Setting:

Eleven surgical sites, Japan

Methods:

In November and December, 2016, candidates of MF-IOL implantation received questionnaire at 11 clinics. The questionnaire inquired acceptance of MF-IOL implantation after explanations of the benefits and potential complications (glare, halo, and contrast degradation) followed by the additional cost (approx. 3,000-4,000 Euro/eye). The respondents were directly collected to a third party institute by mail for analysis.

Results:

There were 238 respondents for the issues of 240 and 77% of patients were 60 years or older. With explanation of the clinical benefits and risk, 75 % of patients preferred an implantation of MF-IOL. After the cost of MF-IOL implantation was provided, the preferences decreased to 54%. This trend did not alter with sex, age, use of spectacles, and incomes. The current cost was accepted by 22% of 238 patients, among which the acceptance of 178 patients who preferred the MF-IOL before providing the cost was about 30%.

Conclusions:

The questionnaire survey for candidate patients showed that the cost was a critical factor in the MF-IOL selection, and understanding the clinical benefit and risk could increase the acceptance.

Financial Disclosure:

is employed by a for-profit company with an interest in the subject of the presentation, research is funded, fully or partially, by a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented, receives consulting fees, retainer, or contract payments from a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented