Economic Evaluation of Cataract: A Systematic Mapping Review

Implementation of SICS (small incision cataract surgery) in humanitarian campaigns: Description of the surgical technique and review of the literature

The aim of this article has been, on the one hand, to describe the use of MSICS (manual small incision cataract surgery) for the management of cataracts, especially mature ones, in relation to its particular utility in the field of humanitarian campaigns, for which a description of the MSICS technique has been made, subsequently a review of the available scientific literature has been carried out to verify the results of this technique in comparison with phacoemulsification and extracapsular surgery and to describe the importance of teaching this technique to all cataract surgeons, especially the ones participating in humanitarian campaigns. According to what has been found, MSICS is an excellent surgical technique and according to current evidence it seems to be the choice over phacoemulsification and/or the classic extracapsular technique in hyper mature cataracts, especially in the field of humanitarian campaigns, due to its lower rate of complications and the improvement in visual acuity obtained. According to the studies found, it would be possible for the experienced ophthalmologic surgeon to implement this technique since the learning curve is short. In addition, in the scenario of humanitarian campaigns, the cost per surgery and the surgical time are reduced. It can be concluded that MSICS should be part of the surgical repertoire of every cataract surgeon, especially in those who perform surgeries in humanitarian campaigns, since it provides shorter surgical time, lower cost and better results in complex cases.

Cognitive Trajectory Before and After Cataract Surgery: A Population-Based Approach

BACKGROUND

Cataract surgery is the most common surgical procedure performed for older US adults. Cataracts are associated with poor cognition and higher rates of dementia, but whether cataract surgery improves cognition for US older adults is not known. We examined the relationship between cataract surgery and long-term change in cognition in the Health and Retirement Study, a population-based study of older US adults linked with Medicare billing data.

METHODS

We analyzed community-dwelling participants who underwent cataract surgery between 2000 and 2018, propensity-matched on age, sex, education (four levels), diabetes status (four levels), pre-procedural latent cognition, vision impairment, and interview timing and mode to older adults who did not have cataract surgery during the study period. Cataract surgery date was ascertained using Medicare billing data. We calculated latent value of cognition using biennial self/proxy cognitive assessments, and used linear mixed effects models adjusting for demographic and health factors to model cognition from 5 years before, to 5 years after, cataract surgery (or a simulated event, for controls). The primary measure was difference-in-differences estimate of latent cognition comparing the year prior, to the year after, cataract surgery or a simulated event.

RESULTS

We analyzed 4384 older adults who underwent cataract surgery and 4384 matched controls (mean [SD] age 76.1 [6.8] years, 62.0% women, 83.9% non-Hispanic white). Across the first postoperative year, cataract surgical participants declined 0.002 (-0.002 to 0.006) units faster than nonsurgical controls (p = 0.37), equivalent to 8 (-10 to 26) days more cognitive aging. Post hoc subgroup analyses also found no difference in cognition for groups stratified by pre-procedural latent cognition (i.e., normal vs. cognitively impaired) or vision (i.e., vision-impaired vs. intact).

CONCLUSION

Under typical United States practice, cataract surgery for older patients was not significantly associated with cognitive improvement or decline in the year after, compared with the year before, surgery.

Assessing the therapeutic role of trehalose and hyaluronic acid: implications for patient care

OBJECTIVE

This Systematic review aims to assess the efficacy of trehalose and hyaluronic acid in enhancing ocular recovery post-cataract surgery, focusing on their impact on tear film stability, ocular surface integrity, and patient-reported outcomes.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted across MEDLINE, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases to identify randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of trehalose, hyaluronic acid, or their combination in post-cataract surgery care. The inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed studies in English, detailing outcomes relevant to ocular recovery such as tear film stability, ocular surface integrity, patient-reported discomfort, or visual acuity (VA). The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and synthesized the data qualitatively.

RESULTS

Four qualitative investigations met the inclusion criteria. The studies collectively assessed the efficacy of a 3% trehalose and 0.15% hyaluronic acid eye drop solution in reducing postoperative eye symptoms compared to various control solutions. Parameters measured included tear break-up time (TBUT), Fluorescein staining, tear production (Schirmer test), and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores. The results indicated significant improvements in tear film stability and ocular surface health for the treatment groups compared to controls, with a notable decrease in patient-reported discomfort. The study showed an improvement of - 18 (± 14.6) in the treatment group compared to - 7 (± 8.0) in the control group for OSDI. For TBUT, the treatment group improved by 3 (± 1.2) s, whereas the control group improved by 0.3 (± 0.71) s. VA, measured on a scale of 0-100, increased to 17 (± 0.7) in the treatment group compared to 15 (± 1.1) in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Trehalose and hyaluronic acid may be beneficial in the postoperative period by enhancing tear film stability and ocular surface health. While the results are promising, further research is needed to confirm these findings, understand the mechanisms of action, and explore broader applications.

Cost-effectiveness of low-astigmatism correction with toric or spherical intraocular lenses combined with corneal incisions: an economic evaluation

PURPOSE

To assess the cost-effectiveness of the treatment of low corneal astigmatism (≤1.5 diopters) at the moment of cataract surgery.

SETTING

Qvision, Ophthalmology Department, VITHAS Almería Hospital, Spain.

DESIGN

Economic evaluation.

METHODS

A decision tree was used to assess the cost-effectiveness of implanting spherical vs toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) or spherical lens combined with the following corneal incisions: limbal-relaxing incisions conducted manually (M-LRI) or assisted by femtosecond laser (F-LRI), arcuate keratotomies conducted manually (M-AK) or assisted by femtosecond laser (F-AK), and intrastromal arcuate keratotomies (F-iAK). Outcomes of cost were selected from a patient perspective considering the gross cost of each one of the surgeries at European centers, and the effectiveness variable was the probability of achieving a visual acuity of 20/20 postoperatively. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the uncertainty considering the evidence retrieved from the transition probabilities of the model, effectiveness, and cost.

RESULTS

F-AK or toric IOLs were the most effective treatments, increasing an 16% or 9%, respectively, in the percentage of eyes attaining 20/20 vision. The M-LRI, F-iAK, and F-LRI procedures were strongly dominated while the M-AK and toric IOL were weakly dominated by the F-AK. A patient with low corneal astigmatism would need to be willing to pay 360€ (95% CI, 231-1224) with F-AK and 472€ (95% CI, 149-4490) with toric IOLs for a 10% increase in the probability of achieving 20/20 vision.

CONCLUSIONS

From patient perspective, F-AK was generally the most cost-effective treatment, although toric IOLs can dominate in some countries.

Examining the Impact of Certificate of Need Laws on the Utilization and Reimbursement of Cataract Surgeries Among Medicare Beneficiaries

Background: Cataract surgery is an effective and commonly utilized procedure and can significantly improve quality of life and restore economic productivity. Certificate of need (CON) laws aim to regulate healthcare facility expansion and equipment acquisition to curtail costs, enhance quality, and ensure equitable access to care. However, little is known about the impact of CON laws on cataract surgery utilization and reimbursement. Objectives: To compare utilization and reimbursement for non-complex cataract surgery in CON and non-CON states. Methods: This retrospective database review analyzed publicly available data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services from 2017 to 2021 to identify the Medicare beneficiaries who underwent non-complex cataract surgery using Current Procedural Terminology code 66984 in Medicare outpatient hospitals. Utilization and reimbursement patterns were analyzed in states with and without CON laws using the compound annual growth rate, with reimbursement adjusted by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. Results: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported 893 682 non-complex cataract surgeries in the study period; of these, 609 237 were in CON and 280 215 in non-CON states. Inflation-adjusted reimbursement increased in both CON (1.17%) and non-CON (1.83%) states, while the reimbursement in non-CON states was greater than the national average adjusted reimbursement (1.67%). Utilization of non-complex cataract surgery declined during the study period in both CON and non-CON states. A larger decline in utilization was observed in CON states (-7.32%) than in non-CON states (-6.49%). Utilization was slightly higher in non-CON than in CON states for each year except 2019. Discussion: Utilization of non-complex cataract surgery by Medicare beneficiaries declined over the study period in both CON and non-CON states, possibly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Inflation-adjusted reimbursement adjusted for Consumer Price Index increased more in non-CON than CON states, possibly reflecting shifts in market dynamics in CON-regulated states. Conclusions: Surgeons and policymakers should consider the implications of CON laws on the utilization and reimbursement of cataract surgery. Further study is necessary to ascertain whether these trends persist beyond 2021.

Cataract Surgery and Mental Health: A Comprehensive Review on Outcomes in the Elderly

Cataract surgery is a widely performed and highly effective procedure that significantly improves vision in elderly patients. This narrative review examines the impact of cataract surgery on mental health outcomes in the elderly, focusing on conditions such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. The review highlights the prevalence of cataracts in older adults and the importance of mental health in this demographic, emphasizing the interconnectedness of visual and mental health. Improved vision following cataract surgery has been associated with enhanced quality of life, increased independence, and better psychological well-being. Mechanisms linking visual improvement to mental health benefits include biological pathways, psychosocial factors, and overall health improvements. However, socioeconomic factors, access to healthcare, and patient education play crucial roles in achieving positive outcomes. This review also compares cataract surgery with other interventions, providing a cost-benefit analysis and discussing the long-term sustainability of mental health benefits. Practice recommendations include pre-surgical mental health screening, integrative care approaches, and guidelines for postoperative care focusing on mental health. The review concludes with suggestions for future research to further explore the relationship between cataract surgery and mental health in the elderly, aiming to enhance clinical practice and public health strategies.

Humanitarian missions and visual outcomes in cataract surgery: A literature review

The limited accessibility to ophthalmological services in remote regions of developing countries poses a significant challenge in visual healthcare. Cataracts and refractive errors are prominent causes of visual impairment, and surgery, despite being an efficient option, faces barriers in developing countries due to financial and geographical constraints. Humanitarian missions play a vital role in addressing this issue. The improvement in the accuracy of calculating IOL power through techniques such as keratometry and biometry is a fundamental step towards optimizing surgical outcomes and the quality of life for patients in these underserved regions. In this context, the consideration of keratometry and immersion ultrasound biometry as preoperative assessment standards in cataract surgeries in developing countries is presented as a pertinent and advisable strategy.

Supplemental Toric Intraocular Lenses in the Ciliary Sulcus for Correction of Residual Refractive Astigmatism: A Review

PURPOSE

This study conducted a critical review of the peer-reviewed literature on the use of supplemental toric intraocular lenses (STIOL) in the ciliary sulcus to correct residual refractive astigmatism.

METHODS

This review used PubMed as a database from 1 January 2010 to 13 March 2023. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria defined, 14 articles were selected for the current review.

RESULTS

The data of 155 eyes were analyzed. Most of the studies reviewed had a short follow-up and poor or limited design, including case reports, case series, and retrospective cohorts. The follow-up period ranged from 43 days to 4.5 years. STIOL rotation was the most frequently described complication in the literature, with a mean rotation of 30.48 ± 19.90°. These patients required repositioning in 50 of 155 eyes (32.25%). Moreover, four eyes (2.58%) required scleral fixation sutures and two eyes (1.29%) iris fixation. Other complications were high intraocular pressure (3 eyes, 1.93%), transient corneal edema (2 eyes, 1.29%), corneal decompensation (2 eyes, 1.29%), and pigment dispersion (1 eye, 0.64%). From the total, 57.41% of eyes (89 eyes from 155) achieved within ± 0.50D of target refractive astigmatism. It is important to highlight that at least 52 eyes out of the 155 (33.54%) had an abnormal cornea with irregular astigmatism.

CONCLUSION

STIOL seem to offer good visual and refractive outcomes. However, STIOL showed variable rotational stability, especially in some platforms. Further studies with a more robust design, methodology, and standardized analysis methods are needed to confirm these trends.