title: Cost of pediatric cataract surgery in Maharashtra, India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To calculate the direct cost of pediatric cataract surgery, from the provider's perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  The direct cost was calculated using standard costing methods in a pediatric ophthalmology department of a comprehensive community eye care center in western India. Fixed costs included those of the building, interior decoration, out patient department's equipment, operation theater equipment, personnel, administration and hospital maintenance. The consumable costs included materials used during surgery. Only direct costs were considered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average direct costs were Indian rupees (Rs.) 69 ($1.77) for an outpatient department consultation, Rs.606 ($15.53) for operation theater equipment use, and Rs. 2 427($62.23) for personnel. The consumable costs ranged from Rs.1 452 ($37.23) to 15 267 ($391.46), depending on the protocol used. The net average cost of pediatric cataract surgery ranged from Rs. 4 722 ($122) to Rs. 18 537 ($475) per eye.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cataract surgery is cost intensive for children with cataract. Pediatric ophthalmologists should decide about most cost effective standards of care to rationalize consumable cost.
authors.affiliation: Lions Juhu Institute of Community Ophthalmology, H. V. Desai Eye Hospital, Pune, India.
authors.forename: Parikshit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gogate
authors.forename: Kuldeep
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dole
authors.forename: Satish
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ranade
authors.forename: Madan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deshpande