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Number of glaucoma procedures decreases despite aging population in US
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As the aging population grows in the U.S., the number of Medicare beneficiaries has increased but the number of glaucoma procedures has declined, according to a study.
The retrospective, observational analysis looked at Medicare fee-for-service paid claims data from 1994 to 2012 to determine the number and type of glaucoma-related procedures performed.
Canaloplasty, mini shunts with an external approach, implantation of aqueous shunts to the extraocular reservoir and endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation significantly increased in volume among Medicare Part B beneficiaries, while conventional trabeculectomy and transscleral cyclophotocoagulation significantly decreased.
Laser trabeculoplasty procedures peaked in 2005 but steadily declined by 19% after that time period. Additionally, the number of laser iridotomies was consistent over the last 8 years of the study.
Despite a 9% increase in Medicare Part B beneficiaries, the total number of glaucoma procedures decreased 16% and the number of glaucoma procedures other than laser procedures decreased 31%.
“Considering the aging population and the likelihood of an increasing number of individuals living with glaucoma in the United States, it is indeed surprising that according to our data, this increase does not appear to be leading to an increased overall use of glaucoma procedures,” the study authors said. – by Kristie L. Kahl
Disclosure: Ramulu reports he receives grants from Research to Prevent Blindness and National Eye Institute and received personal fees from Tissue Banks International and Carl Zeiss Meditec. Please see the study for all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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Arora KS, et al. Ophthalmology. 2015;doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2015.04.015.
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