title: Economic considerations of macular edema therapies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To relate costs and treatment benefits for diabetic macular edema (DME), branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).
  
  
  METHODS
  A model of resource use, outcomes, and cost-effectiveness and utility.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Results from published clinical trials (index studies) of laser, intravitreal corticosteroids, intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents, and vitrectomy trials were used to ascertain visual benefit and clinical protocols. Calculations followed from the costs of 1 year of treatment for each treatment modality and the visual benefits as ascertained.
  
  
  METHODS
  Visual acuity (VA) saved, cost of therapy, cost per line saved, cost per line-year saved, and costs per quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The lines saved for DME (0.26-2.02), BRVO (0.74-4.92), and CRVO (1.2-3.75) yielded calculations of costs/line of saved VA for DME ($1329-$11,609), BRVO ($494-$13,039), and CRVO ($704-$7611); costs/line-year for DME ($60-$561), BRVO ($25-$754), and CRVO ($45-$473); and costs/QALY ($824 to $25,566).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Relative costs and benefits should be considered in perspective when applying and developing treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, PO Box 016880, Miami, FL 33101-6880, USA. wsmiddy@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Smiddy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000191:economics; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D005938:Glucocorticoids