ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To compare the cost of conventional extracapsular cataract surgery and phacoemulsification at Flinders Medical Centre. METHODS: The costs of the two forms of cataract surgery were assessed over a 12-month period. During this period 410 cataract operations were performed. SETTING: The cataract surgery was carried out in a dedicated day surgery unit in a teaching hospital. OUTCOME MEASURE: The direct, indirect and tangible costs were measured. RESULTS: Conventional extracapsular cataract surgery with posterior chamber lens implant costs $1000.85 and phacoemulsification with lens implantation costs $1231.00. CONCLUSIONS: Although conventional extracapsular surgery generates slightly lower costs than phacoemulsification, the cost difference is small. In generating these figures, some assumptions must be made and the real difference may prove to be less than this.
Subject(s)
Cataract Extraction/economics , Cost-Benefit Analysis/economics , Costs and Cost Analysis/economics , Humans , Lenses, Intraocular/economics , Phacoemulsification/economicsABSTRACT
A review of current literature reveals continuing concerns regarding the safety and success of penetrating keratoplasty. Quality assurance within eyebanks is directed inter alia at the prevention of transmission of infection from donor to host. Recent controversy in the United Kingdom regarding the transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease underscores the need for constant vigilance and regular review of eyebank standards. The improvement of the success rates for keratoplasty in difficult cases and the elimination or reduction of side effects assume increasing importance as the technical difficulties in more straightforward cases are solved. This review discusses some recent publications in this field.