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Laser trabeculoplasty may not provide glaucoma-specific cost savings
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Laser trabeculoplasty did not reduce reliance on glaucoma medications or costs associated with glaucoma treatment, according to a study.
The retrospective administrative claims analysis involved medical and pharmacy claims data from 4,743 patients with open-angle glaucoma who underwent trabeculoplasty and 16,484 patients with open-angle glaucoma who used medications. Patients were followed for 12 months before their specific index date and 24 months after the index date.
Younger age (P < .001), low medication adherence (P = .001), high comorbidities (P = .006) and geographic region (P < .001) were significantly associated with receiving laser trabeculoplasty.
In the trabeculoplasty cohort, 60% of patients did not have a pharmacy claim at 45 days after the index date; this decreased to 20% at 2 years.
Per-patient glaucoma-specific medical costs were $2,684 in the trabeculoplasty group and $1,980 in the medication group (P < .0001). Per-patient glaucoma-specific pharmacy costs were $807 in the trabeculoplasty group and $1,467 in the medication group (P < .0001). Per-patient overall glaucoma-specific costs were $3,441 in the trabeculoplasty group and $3,408 in the medication group; the between-group difference was not significant.
“Although fewer topical [open-angle glaucoma] medications are used after treatment with [laser trabeculoplasty], the majority of patients (80%) require supplementary treatment with topical drops within 2 years,” the study authors said. “Therefore, [laser trabeculoplasty] may not be advantageous in resolving poor medication adherence.” – by Matt Hasson
Disclosure: Schultz reports he was an employee of Allergan at the time of the study. See the study for all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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