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Surgeons, patients less likely to accept premium IOLs with high copayments
Patients were less likely to accept advanced technology IOLs with higher copayments, according to a study.
In addition, surgeons were less likely to suggest premium IOLs as copayments rose.
The study included 370 cataract surgeons and 700 patients undergoing cataract surgery in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Patients and surgeons participated in online interviews and were shown unbranded profiles of toric, multifocal and toric multifocal IOLs. The interviews were designed to gauge patients’ willingness to accept the lenses and surgeons’ willingness to suggest the implants.
Surgeons were shown the technical features of each lens and patients were shown the potential benefits and risks of each lens compared with standard reimbursable lenses.
Sixty-eight percent to 99% of patients accepted all three lenses when there was no copayment; however, only 23% to 43% of surgeons were willing to suggest the lenses with no copayment.
Patient acceptance of the lenses ranged from 19% to 74% with increasing copayment levels, whereas surgeon willingness to suggest the lenses ranged from 5% to 31% at the highest copayment levels.
The toric IOL was most widely accepted by patients and suggested by surgeons, regardless of copayment level, the authors found.
Disclosures: Carones and Knorz are consultants for Alcon. Jackson and Samiian are Alcon employees.