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Co-payment will be key factor in future availability of femtosecond laser cataract surgery
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MILAN — Co-payment will be a key factor in making integration of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in European public health systems possible, according to a physician speaking here.
“The transition to femto cataract is a process that cannot be stopped, but increased costs will create considerable resistance,” Roberto Bellucci, MD, said at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.
Roberto Bellucci
The higher costs of femtosecond laser surgery are not only related to the machine purchase, maintenance and assistance, but also to the increased need for trained physicians, nurses and technicians, organization issues and increased surgical time.
“We should also expect an increased patient flow, due to the attractiveness of the laser procedure,” Bellucci said.
He said that the first step might be the adoption of the new procedure in university hospitals that receive special funding for research and innovation. Funding in public hospitals will clash on budgetary issues, and beyond any ethical and practical consideration, co-payment will become a necessary step.
“The use of femto laser in cataract surgery involves a procedure and not a result. Co-payment should eventually become well accepted by patients, doctors and public institutions,” Bellucci said.
He said he strongly believes that pressure from the public will play a crucial role. People are well informed of, trust and want laser procedures, and they will create pressure on their governments to make the technology accessible.
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Disclosure: Bellucci is a consultant for Bausch + Lomb and receives research grants from Technolas Perfect Vision.