title: The economic cost of posterior capsule tear at cataract surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the direct financial burden to healthcare purchasers of a posterior capsule tear (PCT) during cataract surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective data analysis of cataract surgeries was performed. Patients who had surgery in the 2-year period from April 2005, with a maximum follow-up, to April 2009 were identified. Patients previously under review for ocular comorbidity apart from cataract were excluded. Each case with PCT was matched with an uncomplicated cataract operation performed on the same list by the same grade of surgeon. For both groups, we extracted details of all additional subsequent visits and interventions. Data on the cost of visits and procedures were provided by the Department of Health. We then compared this data between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 100 patients with PCT were matched with 100 controls. The preoperative parameters of the two groups were similar. The cases required a median of 3 (mean 3.6, range 0-24) additional postoperative visits compared with 0 (mean 0.19, range 0-8) for controls, with a median duration of follow-up of 74 (mean 129.5, range 6-1316) days for cases compared to 21 (mean 26.1, range 0-308) days for controls (p=0.000). The average cost of extra visits was £ 475.0 (SD £ 697.8) for cases and £ 69.2 (SD £ 51.0) for controls (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the National Health Service national tariff, a PCT during cataract surgery results in significant additional financial cost to healthcare purchasers. A full cost analysis would be required to estimate the additional cost of a PCT for the healthcare provider.
authors.affiliation: Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, 162 City Road, London EC1V 2PD, UK.
authors.forename: Dania
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Qatarneh
authors.forename: Rashmi G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: Catey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bunce
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tuft
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015897:Comorbidity; D004180:Direct Service Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057851:Posterior Capsular Rupture, Ocular / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013222:State Medicine / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data