Long-term quality of life after amblyopia treatment uncertain

Treating amblyopia is likely to be cost effective over a child’s lifetime. However, uncertainty remains regarding its effect on quality of life, according to two German researchers.

Hans-Helmut König, MD, and J.C. Barry, MD, PhD, estimated the incremental costs and effects of amblyopia treatments during a child’s lifetime. They found that treating the condition had a an incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $2,845 for each quality-adjusted life year (QALY).

The authors said ICER appeared to be more uncertain when applied to unilateral visual impairment as compared to bilateral. In the study, the base value for unilateral visual impairment was assumed to be 0.96, and if increased to 0.99, the ICER would have been $10,986 per QALY.

Using univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analysis (Monte-Carlo simulation), there was a 95% uncertainty interval for ICER between $853 and $46,470 per QALY. However, the authors said there is a 95% probability of an ICER less than $24,018 per QALY.

They noted that the impact of amblyopia on utility should be investigated to reduce the uncertainty on quality of life.

The study was published in the May issue of British Journal of Ophthalmology.