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Cost-effectiveness of femtosecond laser cataract surgery remains unknown in Europe
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 Paul Rosen |
VIENNA, Austria — More time is needed to determine many factors related to the cost-effectiveness of femtosecond laser cataract surgery in the European ophthalmic market, a physician said here.
"If you said to me, is femto-phaco cost-effective in Europe today, we can't answer that. We don't have enough information on the cost, the machine and people's willingness to pay," Paul Rosen, FRCOphth, said at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting. "[But] will it become a cost-effective technology in the European health care environment tomorrow? I am absolutely certain it will."
Dr. Rosen examined whether femtosecond laser cataract surgery could potentially become a cost-effective technology in the European health care market. He told the large audience in a main symposium at the meeting that his presentation was a year too early.
"The situation is very fluid. It's a very rapidly advancing technology, and the costs are not well-defined," he said. "Does it offer tangible benefits to the patient, and does it meet the unmet need for the patients? Will people pay for it? And the big question is, is there a willing payout?"
Dr. Rosen said that the technology will quickly advance in the next 2 years, with an initial presence in the private practice/patient pay market. Within 5 years to 10 years, he predicted an increase in use in the public-funded health care market in Europe.
- Disclosure: Dr. Rosen has no relevant financial disclosures.