Medicare payments for glaucoma surgery decreased amid rise in procedures

Arch Ophthalmol. 2009;127(7):900-905.

Medicare payments for glaucoma surgery decreased, whereas the number of glaucoma operations increased in a 9-year period, according to a study.

"Management and treatment of glaucoma can be costly, and it has been estimated that glaucoma is the primary reason for ophthalmologist visits in the United States," the study authors said.

The authors analyzed Medicare claims and payments for glaucoma surgery performed between 1997 and 2006. The most commonly performed surgical procedures included laser trabeculoplasty, filtering surgery, shunt implantation and cyclodestructive procedures.

There were overall decreases in the number of glaucoma operations and total annual payments from 1997 to 2001. However, total procedures increased in ensuing years. There was also a decrease in average payments for trabeculectomies and increases in payments for cyclophotocoagulation and shunt surgery.

An overall trend toward lower-cost surgical procedures, despite increasing use of newer technologies, may have had a significant effect on glaucoma expenses in the study period.

"Further advances and the application of new technologies may help to moderate the cost of providing glaucoma care to all who require it," the authors said.