[Cost of phacoemulsification in the national campaign of elective cataract surgery in Itápolis, SP, Brazil].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the average cost of cataract surgery using the phacoemulsification technique with intraocular lens implant (IOL). This study was conducted during a national campaign to treat patients with cataracts promoted by the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology (CBO) and the Health Ministry in the city of Itápolis-SP from March to December, 2000.


METHODS
All expenses related to the surgery were collected (pre-, intra-, and postoperative data) and analyzed. Fifty-eight patients with senile cataracts and without any other ocular findings were submitted to the procedure in a prospective study.


RESULTS
The average cost of the surgery in this study was R$ 485.03 or USD 248.05. This value represents the average cost of the surgery itself; in which some materials, equipment, taxes and other services were previously determined and used for this project.


CONCLUSIONS
The phacoemulsification technique for cataract surgery has been used more and more, due to its effectiveness, being an excellent method to treat cataracts. Although this is an excellent technique, the economical aspect does not allow it to be used for part of the population.
Saad Filho
Roberto
R
Universidade Federal São Paulo. versaad@aol.com
Saad
Flávia Gondim Loureiro
FG
Freitas
Lincoln Lemes de
LL
D001938:Brazil; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000191:economics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000191:economics*; D011446:Prospective Studies