IMPORTANCEThe Tube vs Trabeculectomy Trial (TVT) found that the 350-mm 2 Baerveldt implant (tube) and trabeculectomy with mitomycin may be similarly effective in lowering intraocular pressure in primary open-angle glaucoma. However, to date, there are no published long-term clinical data on the cost-effectiveness of trabeculectomy with mitomycin vs tube insertion.OBJECTIVE To assess the cost-effectiveness of these procedures compared with maximal medical treatment.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTSWe used the Markov cohort model with a 5-year time horizon to study a hypothetical cohort of 100 000 patients who required glaucoma surgery.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURESQuality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained, costs from the societal perspective, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of medical treatment, trabeculectomy, and tube insertion. Costs were identified from Medicare Current Procedural Terminology and Ambulatory Payment Classification reimbursement codes and Red Book medication costs. The QALYs were based on visual field and visual acuity outcomes. The hypothetical societal limit to resources was included using a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50 000 per QALY. Costs and utilities were discounted at 3% per year. Uncertainty was assessed using deterministic sensitivity analyses.