First Author: F.Kretz GERMANY
Co Author(s): G. Auffarth
Purpose:
The aim of the study was to compare the prices of the common used topical glaucoma drugs in Germany to the costs of the implantation of a glaucoma stent.
Setting:
International Vision Correction and Research Center (IVCRC), University Ophthalmology Hospital Heidelberg, Germany
Methods:
We compared the annual costs of glaucoma treatment with the common used topical anti-glaucoma medications and their combinations in Germany. They where compared to the cost of an I-Stent® (Glaukos, California, USA) Implantation in both eyes.
Results:
The average annual cost of a single anti-glaucoma medication in Germany is about 455.83. Averages of 1.6 different drugs are used per glaucoma patient, what increases the annual costs to about 729.33. The I-Stent® gives an average reduction of glaucoma medications of 1.3, which is equal to annual savings of 595.53 . As the implantation of one I-Stent® in each eye costs 1300 together, the breakeven point would be reached after 2.18 years.
Conclusions:
The I-stent® is a well know device to lower the IOP and the use of glaucoma medications. As glaucoma is a chronic progressive disease, topic treatments are necessary for patients for lifetime and the number of different agents increases. In times like today where the cost effectiveness of treatments becomes more important for our health systems, newer methods to lower costs are necessary. Further studies will be needed to prove the long term outcome and effectiveness of these devices. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE?: No
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