Procedures, Visits, and Procedure Costs in the Management of Microbial Keratitis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the burden of procedures, visits, and procedure costs in the management of microbial keratitis (MK). METHODS: Medical records of patients from an academic hospital outpatient facility between December 2013 and May 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were included if they were older than the age of 18 years, recruited for study of likely MK, and not concurrently undergoing treatment for other acute eye conditions. For procedural costs, Medicare data for billing were obtained using the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Physician Fee Lookup tool. RESULTS: A total of 68 patients were included for analysis. Patients were on average 51.3 years (SD = 19.5), 55.9% women (n = 38), and 89.7% White (n = 61). Per person, the average number of procedures was 2.9 (SD = 4.2). The average number of visits was 13.9 (SD = 9.2) over an average of 26.9 weeks (SD = 24.3). Age (P < 0.0001), positive Gram stain (P = 0.03), and mixed Gram stain (P = 0.002) were positively associated with the number of procedures. Age (P = 0.0003), fungal keratitis (P = 0.02), and mixed Gram stain (P = 0.01) were positively associated with the number of visits. Race was inversely associated with the number of procedures (P = 0.045) and visits (0.03). Patients with bacterial keratitis were more likely to have amniotic membrane grafts (P = 0.01) and tarsorrhaphies (P = 0.03) than fungal patients. Across all procedures performed for the management of MK, the mean cost per patient was $1788.7 (SD = $3324.62). CONCLUSIONS: Patients incur many procedural costs and attend many visits during the management of MK. These findings emphasize the importance of patient-provider communication for frequent follow-up care and the potential need to perform procedures for disease management.

Association Between Eliminating Water From Surgical Hand Antisepsis at a Large Ophthalmic Surgical Hospital and Cost.

Importance: Alcohol-based surgical scrub is recommended for presurgical antisepsis by leading health organizations. Despite this recommendation, water-based scrub techniques remain common practice at many institutions. Objective: To calculate the potential financial savings that a large, subspecialty ophthalmic surgical center can achieve with a conversion to waterless surgical hand preparation. Design, Setting, and Participants: A review of accounting records associated with the purchase of scrubbing materials and water company invoices was conducted to assess direct costs attributable to water consumption and scrub materials for brushless, alcohol-based surgical scrub and water-based presurgical scrub. The flow rate of scrub sinks to estimate water consumption per year was tested. Savings associated with operating room (OR) and personnel time were calculated based on the prescribed scrub times for waterless techniques vs traditional running-water techniques. The study was conducted from January 5 to March 1, 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcomes for this study were the quantity of water consumed by aqueous scrubbing procedures as well as the cost differences between alcohol-based surgical scrub and water-based scrub procedures per OR per year. Results: Scrub sinks consumed 15.9 L of water in a 2-minute period, projecting a savings of 61 631 L and $277 in water and sewer cost per operating room per year. Alcohol-based surgical scrub cost $1083 less than aqueous soap applied from wall-mounted soap dispensers and $271 less than preimpregnated scrub brushes per OR per year in supply costs. The decrease in scrub time from adopting waterless scrub technique could save between approximately $280 000 and $348 000 per OR per year. Conclusions and Relevance: Adopting waterless scrub techniques has the potential for economic savings attributable to water. Savings may be larger for surgical facilities performing more personnel-intensive procedures.

Cost-effectiveness analysis in a randomized trial of late in-the-bag intraocular lens dislocation surgery: repositioning versus exchange.

PURPOSE: To compare the cost-effectiveness of two operation methods for late in-the-bag intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, 104 patients were randomly assigned to IOL repositioning by scleral suturing (n = 54) or IOL exchange with a retropupillary iris-claw lens (n = 50). A cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) was performed in conjunction with previously published 6-month efficacy and safety results. An incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated as the cost difference between the operation groups relative to their difference in postoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) (mean and 95% confidence interval: minimum and maximum), reported as the cost difference in United States Dollars ($) per logMAR difference. RESULTS: Exchange surgery was $281.20 ± 17.66 more expensive than repositioning, mainly explained by the new IOL and the frequent use of anterior vitrectomy. A previous trial publication revealed no significant difference in the 6-month postoperative CDVA between the groups. In the CEA, the mean group difference yielded an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of -$281.20 per -0.11 logMAR (-$1108/QALY) in favour of repositioning, ranging from -$281.20 per -0.29 logMAR (-$406/QALY) in favour of repositioning to +$281.20 per -0.08 logMAR (+$1522/QALY) in favour of exchange. The CEA did not include the mean 9.5 min shorter operation time for exchange. CONCLUSION: Repositioning tended to be more cost-effective than exchange; however, this is modified if also considering the operation time. Overall, it seems the cost-effectiveness is not alone sufficiently different to recommend one of the operation methods over the other for late in-the-bag IOL dislocation.

The expanding burden of idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the hospital burden and health economic impact of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. METHODS: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) national data was extracted between 1st January 2002 and 31st December 2016. All those within England with a diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension were included. Those with secondary causes of raised intracranial pressure such as tumours, hydrocephalus and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 23,182 new IIH cases were diagnosed. Fifty-two percent resided in the most socially deprived areas (quintiles 1 and 2). Incidence rose between 2002 and 2016 from 2.3 to 4.7 per 100,000 in the general population. Peak incidence occurred in females aged 25 (15.2 per 100,000). 91.6% were treated medically, 7.6% had a cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedure, 0.7% underwent bariatric surgery and 0.1% had optic nerve sheath fenestration. Elective caesarean sections rates were significantly higher in IIH (16%) compared to the general population (9%), p < 0.005. Admission rates rose by 442% between 2002 and 2014, with 38% having repeated admissions in the year following diagnosis. Duration of hospital admission was 2.7 days (8.8 days for those having CSF diversion procedures). Costs rose from £9.2 to £50 million per annum over the study period with costs forecasts of £462 million per annum by 2030. CONCLUSIONS: IIH incidence is rising (by greater than 100% over the study), highest in areas of social deprivation and mirroring obesity trends. Re-admissions rates are high and growing yearly. The escalating population and financial burden of IIH has wide reaching implications for the health care system.

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery: A Budget Impact Analysis and Evaluation of Patients' Experiences, Preferences, and Values.

BACKGROUND: Glaucoma is a condition that causes progressive damage to the optic nerve, which can lead to visual impairment and irreversible blindness. There is a spectrum of current treatments for glaucoma that aim to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP), including pharmacotherapy (eye drops), laser therapy, and the more invasive option of filtration surgery. A new class of treatments called minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) may reduce IOP and offer a better safety profile than more invasive procedures. We conducted a budget impact analysis of MIGS for adults with glaucoma from the perspective of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. We also conducted interviews with people with glaucoma and family members of people with glaucoma to determine patient preferences and values surrounding glaucoma and its treatment options, including MIGS. We completed this work to complement a health technology assessment conducted in collaboration with the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). METHODS: We analyzed the budget impact of publicly funding MIGS in adults with glaucoma in Ontario. We derived costs from the collaborative health technology assessment.1 We assumed MIGS may be used in three subgroups: (1) MIGS in combination with cataract surgery as a replacement for cataract surgery alone in people with mild to moderate glaucoma; (2) MIGS alone as a replacement for other glaucoma treatments in people with mild to moderate glaucoma; and (3) MIGS (alone or in combination with cataract surgery) to replace filtration surgery (alone or in combination with cataract surgery) in people with advanced to severe glaucoma. We estimated the budget impact over 5 years for two possible uptake scenarios: a slow rate of uptake and a fast rate of uptake. To contextualize the lived experience of glaucoma and treatments for glaucoma, we also interviewed people with glaucoma and family members of people with glaucoma, some of whom had experience with surgical procedures such as MIGS and some of whom did not. RESULTS: Assuming a slow uptake scenario, the annual budget impact of publicly funding MIGS in Ontario over the next 5 years ranges from $1 million in year 1 to $18 million in year 5. Assuming a fast uptake scenario, the annual budget impact of publicly funding MIGS in Ontario over the next 5 years ranges from $6 million in year 1 to $70 million in year 5. The budget impact varies depending on the proportion of people in each of the three subgroups described above. Introducing a new MIGS billing code may reduce the overall expenditures. Interview participants felt that less invasive surgical procedures, such as MIGS, could control glaucoma progression with minimal side effects and recovery time needed. CONCLUSIONS: We estimate that publicly funding MIGS in Ontario would result in additional costs over the next 5 years; however, this may depend on the populations using MIGS and if uptake is restricted or controlled. For the people with glaucoma we spoke with, avoiding blindness was their paramount concern, and MIGS was perceived as an effective treatment option with minimal side effects and recovery time required.

Comparing hospital compensation to actual costs based on the Greek Diagnosis-Related Group system in ophthalmology.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of the new system of pricing medical services in the field of ophthalmology in Greece. In addition, it attempts to benchmark the system with respective interventions at an international level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study deals with the implementation of the new system, presenting systematic pairing of ophthalmic coding with other coded information regarding registration and management. Statistical data analysis is performed related to the cost and, finally, proposals are formulated to improve the current system. RESULTS: A significant difference is noted in the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the Greek system compared with internationally applied Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) systems in the field of ophthalmology. The proposed funding for ophthalmic inpatient cases mostly meets real needs and costs of hospitals for supplies. Complicated cases, mainly in cataract surgery, increase the real cost and may cause a deviation depending on the rate of complications. In these cases, the average cost was 673.28 ±â€Š58.7&OV0556; as opposed to uncomplicated cases (346.78 ±â€Š21.3&OV0556;), bearing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001, Mann-Whitney test). The total compensation of the hospital was higher than the actual cost for surgical procedures covering the respective expenses. CONCLUSION: Although the recently implemented compensation system for public hospitals mostly covers the actual cost for ophthalmic surgical cases, some deviations from the real needs are being identified. Several amendments could be applied to increase efficiency and improve the quality of health services provided by Greek hospitals.

Reoperation following strabismus surgery among Medicare beneficiaries: Associations with geographic region, academic affiliation, surgeon volume, and adjustable suture technique.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the associations of strabismus surgery reoperation rates in a large national database of provider payments with geographic region, practice type and volume, and the availability of adjustable suture technique. Methods: Fee-for-service payments to providers for medicare beneficiaries having strabismus surgery between 2012 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed to identify reoperations in the same calendar year. The adjustable-suture technique was considered to be available to the patient if the patient's surgeon billed for adjustable sutures. Predictors of reoperation in the same calendar year were determined by multivariable logistic regression. Results: Availability of the adjustable suture technique was not associated with reoperation rate in multivariable analysis among 5971 patients having horizontal muscle surgery (odds ratio, [OR] 0.86, P = 0.29), 2840 patients having vertical muscle surgery (OR 0.98, P = 0.93), or 1199 patients having surgery with scarring or restriction (OR 0.86, P = 0.61). For horizontal surgery, the reoperation rate was higher in academic practices (OR 1.67), as compared with community practices, and in the South (OR 2.85) and West (OR 1.92, all P < 0.001). The reoperation rate was unchanged with surgeons in the lowest-quartile of surgical volume. Among surgeons paid for horizontal surgery, 45% of surgeons in the Northeast, the West, or Florida coded for adjustable sutures, compared with 8% of surgeons elsewhere (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The availability of the adjustable-suture technique was not associated with reoperation rate after strabismus surgery in this large national database. Having surgery by a lower-volume surgeon was not associated with a higher reoperation rate. The reoperation rate was higher when surgery was conducted in an academic practice, or in certain regions of the country. Adjustable sutures are largely a bicoastal practice.

Developing and validating a simple and cost-effective strabismus surgery simulator.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate that a nonbiologic strabismus surgery simulator is not inferior to a biologic wet lab for teaching the key steps of strabismus surgery. METHODS: A total of 41 medical students were randomly assigned to one of two groups: biologic wet lab or nonbiologic simulator. The students trained according to the group's protocol then participated in a recorded final assessment using a realistic strabismus surgery model. Two independent reviewers, masked to training method, graded the video recordings using three scoring systems: the International Council of Ophthalmology Approved-Ophthalmology Surgical Competency Assessment Rubric for Strabismus Surgery (ICO-OSCAR), the Global Rating Scale of Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS), and the Alphabetic Summary Scale (ASS). RESULTS: The primary endpoint, total ICO-OSCAR score, was 36.7 ± 2.2 for the wet lab group and 36.0 ± 2.7 for the nonbiologic group (difference in means, -0.7; one-sided 95% CI, -2.0, ∞). The lower bound of the one-sided 95% confidence interval for the difference in mean scores was -2.0, which was greater than the a priori noninferiority margin of -5.0 points. The secondary outcome measure, mean total OSATS score and ASS score, revealed no statistical significant differences between training methods (P = 0.73 and P = 0.44, resp.). CONCLUSIONS: The simple, nonbiologic strabismus surgery simulator is not inferior to the biologic wet lab with respect to total ICO-OSCAR score. It is a portable, inexpensive, and effective training tool for novice surgeons.

Coding Accuracy for Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery: St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton.

Coding accuracy is an important factor in ensuring hospitals receive adequate reimbursement from the government for healthcare services rendered. A retrospective review of 100 charts, the purpose of this study was to determine the degree of coding accuracy from the surgeon perspective, for outpatient procedures performed for ophthalmic services at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton from July to December 2016. Using ICD-10-CA, Canadian Classification of Health Interventions, Quality-Based Procedures criteria where applicable, and the 3M Coding and Reimbursement system, this paper reveals three primary sources of coding errors and presents recommendations to increase accuracy of reimbursement for the benefit of both the Ministry of Health and hospital organizations.

Trends in pediatric strabismus surgery in the new millennium: influence of funding and perceived benefits of surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The rate of strabismus surgery was previously reported to be decreasing in the United Kingdom and Ontario. Data on the influence of government funding on surgical trends and recent population trends for surgery in pediatric patients in Canada are limited. This study aims to analyze the trend in pediatric strabismus procedures in Ontario from 2000 to 2013. DESIGN: A population based, retrospective data analysis. METHODS: An analysis of the yearly volume of strabismus procedures in the pediatric population of Ontario was performed, subdivided by number of muscles repaired and repeat procedures. The number of ophthalmologists performing strabismus surgery on the pediatric population was analyzed, subdivided by high- and low-volume surgeons and career stage. RESULTS: From 2000 to 2013, per 100,000 pediatric population, the number of total strabismus surgeries in Ontario increased 38.1%; rates of single-muscle surgery increased 12.8%, 2-muscle surgery increased 24.2%, and surgery of ≥3 muscles increased 135.4%. Repeat procedures increased 263.1% from 2000 to 2013 and represented 28.5% of all surgeries in 2013.The number of high-volume surgeons increased 33.3%, whereas low-volume surgeons decreased 61.4% during the same time span. CONCLUSION: The number of pediatric strabismus procedures in Ontario has increased since 2000, and the practice has become increasingly subspecialized. This is likely due to changes in health care funding and increased parental and physician awareness of the functional and psychosocial benefits of strabismus surgery.

Increasing healthcare costs: can we influence the costs of glaucoma care?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite a decrease in real average growth rates per capita since 2009, healthcare costs continue to rise worldwide. Numerous patient-related and doctor-related factors have contributed to this rise. Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness and requires chronic, usually lifelong treatment. As with other chronic diseases, the adherence to prescribed treatment is often low and maybe influenced by the cost of the therapy. The purpose of this review is to seek potential solutions to best control the escalating costs of glaucoma care. RECENT FINDINGS: The studies we selected for this review can be divided into four different categories: costs of diagnostic tests; costs of direct comparisons between drugs or laser and conventional surgery; patient-related factors (such as adherence); and general aspects regarding costs: theoretical models and calculations. SUMMARY: It is challenging to find reliable studies concerning this subject matter. As patients are under the umbrellas of variously organized healthcare systems which span different cultures, the costs between countries are difficult to compare. However, one common aspect to lower costs in glaucoma care is to improve patient adherence. Theoretical models with actual patient studies could enable cost reductions by comparing multiple diagnostic and therapeutic scenarios. VIDEO ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/COOP/A22.

Análise de custos para clínicas oftalmológicas / Cost analysis for ophthalmic clinics services

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a aplicação de um modelo de apuração de custos dos serviços prestados em clínicas de oftalmologia, fazendo um estudo comparativo de custos versus preços. E avaliar a informação de custos como ferramenta de gerenciamento, controle e tomada de decisão. Métodos: Para testar o modelo proposto, foram adotados os conceitos das metodologias de custeio: por absorção, pleno, direto e baseado em atividade. Procedeu-se a implantação do modelo em três clínicas de oftalmologia selecionadas a fim de se apurar o custo dos procedimentos realizados no período de setembro a novembro de 2003; os dados foram coletados por meio de análise dos relatórios financeiros, gerenciais e entrevistas com funcionários. Resultados: A aplicação do sistema de custeio proposto é exequível: a clínica de maior porte mostrou-se como a melhor relação custo x benefício, tendo em vista a disseminação dos custos fixos diante da diversidade dos serviços realizados. Quanto à relação custo versus preços constataram-se procedimentos rentáveis e outros que geram resultados pífios ou prejuízos, enfatizando a necessidade de controle de custos para a avaliação dos serviços mais rentáveis e utilizá-lo como balizador de preços nas negociações. Conclusão: O modelo proposto é aplicável com vantagens, na medida em que contribui para a disseminação e utilização das informações de custos, apoia no gerenciamento e controle operacional e gera informações preponderantes nas negociações junto aos tomadores de serviços.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To present a model of cost allocation for ophthalmic clinics services using cost versus price approach and to evaluate the cost information as a management tool as well as an instrument for cost control and decision-making. Methods: The model was tested applying various costing methodologies: absorption costing, full costing, direct costing and activity based costing. Cost allocation systems were installed in three ophthalmic clinics services with the objective of arriving at the cost of procedures conducted in the period september to november of 2003; data was obtained through financial and management reports and field interviews with staff. Results: The costing system met its objectives: the larger ophthalmic clinic demonstrates a better cost-benefit relationship given its larger volume and variety of procedures and distribution base to spread its fixed costs.With regard to the cost-charge ratio some procedures were found to be profitable and others with low or negative operating results, illustrating the need for cost control to determine profitable services as well as pricing. Conclusion: The proposed model is advantageous for both disseminating and utilizing cost information as well as providing support for management in its decision-making and negotiating activities with potential buyers.

A avaliação pré-anestésica para cirurgia oftalmológica em idosos é realmente necessária? A realidade de um hospital público / The pre-anesthetic evaluation for ophthalmic surgery in the elderly is really necessary? The reality of a public hospital

RESUMO Objetivos: A avaliação pré-anestésica (APA) e a realização de exames laboratoriais são questionadas para cirurgias oftalmológicas ambulatoriais por acrescentarem custos e retardarem a cirurgia. Estas são de baixo risco, mas os pacientes são idosos e com várias comorbidades. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar se a APA é realmente necessária nestes pacientes em um hospital público. Métodos: Foi conduzido um estudo retrospectivo em 297 prontuários contendo a APA de pacientes para cirurgias oftalmológicas em um hospital público. Foram avaliados através da história, exame clínico e exames complementares, a proporção de pacientes que apresentaram na APA doenças desconhecidas ou não controladas e alterações dos exames complementares. Resultados: A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 71,5 anos, com 95,28% tendo pelo menos uma doença crônica. A doença mais prevalente foi hipertensão arterial sistêmica (62,96%), que em 7,7% dos pacientes estavam sem controle adequado; 2.3% não tinham diagnóstico de HAS. O diabetes mellitus tipo 2 apareceu em segundo (22,22%), com 5,3% sem controle adequado. Glicemia acima de 100 mg.dl-1 foi encontrada em 25,92%, sem diagnóstico conhecido. Do total, 84,8% tomavam pelo menos um medicamento. Somente 73,4% dos pacientes foram liberados para a cirurgia na primeira consulta. Conclusão: A APA em oftalmologia é capaz de detectar doenças não diagnosticadas, ou condições clínicas instáveis, e exerce um papel não só de otimização do paciente para a cirurgia como de atendimento primário, desempenhando papel importante na saúde global da população e, portanto, considerada necessária nos pacientes idosos do sistema público de saúde.

ABSTRACT Objectives: Pre-anesthetic assessment (PAA) and laboratory tests are questioned for ophthalmic procedures due to their additional costs and surgery delays. These are lower risks, nonetheless, patients are elderly and suffer from multiple comorbidities. The aim of this study was to determinate if it is really necessary in a public hospital. Method: a retrospective study on 297 medical records containing the pre-anesthetic questionary from ophthalmic surgery patients in a public hospital was leaded. By the anamnesis, clinical examination and laboratory tests, the rate of patients who came up with unknown or uncontrolled diseases for the pre-anesthetic evaluation among with unsettled lab tests were analyzed. Results: The patients's mean age was 71.5 years old. 95.28% of them suffer from at least one chronic disease. The most prevailer illness was systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) (62.96%), which in 7.7% of were uncontroled. Also 2.3% had no diagnosis of SAH. The DM2 appeared in second (22.22%), with 5.3% without proper management. Glycaemia above 100 mg.dl1 was found in 25.92%, undiagnosed; 84.8% of the total were taking at least one medication. Only 73.4% of patients were released for surgery in the first moment. Discussion: To sum up, PAA in ophthalmology surgery is able to bring up undiagnosed diseases, or unstable medical conditions, and it plays a role not only in optimize the patient for surgery, but also as primary care. It can be an important deal to improve population's health, therefore, considered necessary in elderly patients in the public health system.

Spring-action Apparatus for Fixation of Eyeball (SAFE): a novel, cost-effective yet simple device for ophthalmic wet-lab training.

Achieving a formed and firm eyeball which is stably fixed in a holding device is a major challenge of surgical wet-lab training. Our innovation, the 'Spring-action Apparatus for Fixation of Eyeball (SAFE)' is a robust, simple and economical device to solve this problem. It consists of a hollow iron cylinder to which a spring-action syringe is attached. The spring-action syringe generates vacuum and enables reliable fixation of a human or animal cadaveric eye on the iron cylinder. The rise in intraocular pressure due to vacuum fixation can be varied as per need or nature of surgery being practised. A mask-fixed version of this device is also designed to train surgeons for appropriate hand positioning. An experienced surgeon performed various surgeries including manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS), phacoemulsification, laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), femtosecond LASIK docking, Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty, deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, penetrating keratoplasty and trabeculectomy on this device, while a trainee surgeon practised MSICS and wound suturing. Skill-appropriate comfort level was much higher with SAFE than with conventional globe holders for both surgeons. Due to its stability, pressure adjustability, portability, cost-efficiency and simplicity, we recommend SAFE as the basic equipment for every wet lab.

Strabismus surgery among Medicare beneficiaries: imputed rates of reoperation in the same calendar year.

PURPOSE: To compare strabismus surgery reoperation rates in a large national database of provider payments when the adjustable-suture technique was available and not available. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fee-for-service payments to Medicare providers for horizontal (CPT 67311) and vertical (CPT 67314) strabismus surgery in 2012 were analyzed to identify payments for reoperations in the same calendar year. The adjustable-suture technique was considered to be available to the patient if the patient's surgeon billed for adjustable sutures during the year. We determined the association of reoperation with the availability of the adjustable-suture technique and with surgeon volume. RESULTS: Patients having horizontal muscle surgery had a rate of reoperation in 2012 of 4.1% (15 of 364 patients) when the adjustable technique was available, compared with 7.1% (77 of 1,082 patients) when the adjustable technique was not available (P = 0.047). Patients having vertical muscle surgery had a rate of reoperation in 2012 of 4.1% (8 of 196 patients) when the adjustable technique was available, compared with 8.3% (38 of 458 patients) when the adjustable technique was not available (P = 0.07). Having surgery in a high-volume surgical practice was not reliably associated with reoperation rates. CONCLUSIONS: For patients having strabismus surgery, the availability of the adjustable-suture technique was associated with a lower reoperation rate in this large national database (compared with patients for whom the adjustable technique was not available). The difference was statistically significantly different from zero for horizontal muscle surgery but not for vertical muscle surgery.

Surgical versus Medical Treatment of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia: A Cost Comparison.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare the cost associated with surgical versus interferon-alpha 2b (IFNα2b) treatment for ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN). DESIGN: A matched, case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 98 patients with OSSN, 49 of whom were treated surgically and 49 of whom were treated medically. METHODS: Patients with OSSN treated with IFNα2b were matched to patients treated with surgery on the basis of age and date of treatment initiation. Financial cost to the patient was calculated using 2 different methods (hospital billing and Medicare allowable charges) and compared between the 2 groups. These fees included physician fees (clinic, pathology, anesthesia, and surgery), facility fees (clinic, pathology, and operating room), and medication costs. Time invested by patients was calculated in terms of number of visits to the hospital and compared between the 2 groups. Parking costs, transportation, caregiver wages, and lost wages were not considered in our analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of clinic visits and cost of therapy as represented by both hospital charges and Medicare allowable charges. RESULTS: When considering cost in terms of time, the medical group had an average of 2 more visits over 1 year compared with the surgical group. Cost as represented by hospital charges was higher in the surgical group (mean, $17 598; standard deviation [SD], $7624) when compared with the IFNα2b group (mean, $4986; SD, $2040). However, cost between the 2 groups was comparable when calculated on the basis of Medicare allowable charges (surgical group: mean, $3528; SD, $1610; medical group: mean, $2831; SD, $1082; P = 1.00). The highest cost in the surgical group was the excisional biopsy (hospital billing $17 598; Medicare allowable $3528), and the highest cost in the medical group was interferon ($1172 for drops, average 8.0 bottles; $370 for injections, average 5.4 injections). CONCLUSIONS: Our data in this group of patients previously demonstrated equal efficacy of surgical versus medical treatment. In this article, we consider costs of therapy and found that medical treatment involved two more office visits, whereas surgical treatment could be more or equally costly depending on insurance coverage.

[ARCSTERILE: A COST-EFFECTIVE LUXURY]. / ArcSterile. UN LUJO RENTABLE.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety, economic profitability, and cost-effectiveness of the controlled ambient surgical cabin ArcSterile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study comparing the profitability of surgical procedures using the ArcSterile* with those using the operating room throughout a 12-month period by analysing the following variables: total number of treated patients, delay in surgical assistance delay and the cost per procedure. RESULTS: Throughout a 12-month period, a total number of 2011 surgical procedures were performed with the ArcSterile, and 1736 surgical procedures were performed in the conventional operating room. Minor ocular surgeries including chalazia, pterigium, intravitreal injections and others were considered, whereas cataract and vitrectomy surgeries were disregarded. The use of the ArcSterile* was associated with an increase of 14% in the number of surgeries. The cost per hour of the use of the ArcSterile* was 30.75 euro, whereas it was 142.78 euro for the coriventional operating room. CONCLUSIONS: The ArcSterile* may allow to treat more patients and to treat them earlier compared with the conventional operating room, optimizing the use of the latest for patients who need a more complex surgery. We estimated an economic impact of 134 121.39 euro savings during the 12-month period of analysis. The use of the ArcSterile* surgical cabin for outpatient ocularsurgery may represent an effective and efficient alternative to the operating room with many clinical and economic benefits.

Intensive diabetes therapy and ocular surgery in type 1 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) showed a beneficial effect of 6.5 years of intensive glycemic control on retinopathy in patients with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: Between 1983 and 1989, a total of 1441 patients with type 1 diabetes in the DCCT were randomly assigned to receive either intensive diabetes therapy or conventional therapy aimed at preventing hyperglycemic symptoms. They were treated and followed until 1993. Subsequently, 1375 of these patients were followed in the observational Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study. The self-reported history of ocular surgical procedures was obtained annually. We evaluated the effect of intensive therapy as compared with conventional therapy on the incidence and cost of ocular surgery during these two studies. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 23 years, 130 ocular operations were performed in 63 of 711 patients assigned to intensive therapy (8.9%) and 189 ocular operations in 98 of 730 patients assigned to conventional therapy (13.4%) (P<0.001). After adjustment for DCCT baseline factors, intensive therapy was associated with a reduction in the risk of any diabetes-related ocular surgery by 48% (95% confidence interval [CI], 29 to 63; P<0.001) and a reduction in the risk of all such ocular procedures by 37% (95% CI, 12 to 55; P=0.01). Forty-two patients who received intensive therapy and 61 who received conventional therapy underwent cataract extraction (adjusted risk reduction with intensive therapy, 48%; 95% CI, 23 to 65; P=0.002); 29 patients who received intensive therapy and 50 who received conventional therapy underwent vitrectomy, retinal-detachment surgery, or both (adjusted risk reduction, 45%; 95% CI, 12 to 66; P=0.01). The costs of surgery were 32% lower in the intensive-therapy group. The beneficial effects of intensive therapy were fully attenuated after adjustment for mean glycated hemoglobin levels over the entire follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Intensive therapy in patients with type 1 diabetes was associated with a substantial reduction in the long-term risk of ocular surgery. (Funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and others; DCCT/EDIC ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT00360893 and NCT00360815.).