A recent study in the Journal of Medical Economics shows cross-linking may provide an increase in patient quality of life, as well as savings to patients and the health care system.¹

Specifically, the study shows cross-linking would reduce the rate of penetrating keratoplasty by 26%, with patients spending 28 fewer years in the advanced stages of keratoconus. Additionally, the procedure would provide a 1.88 increase in quality-adjusted life years.

Regarding cost, cross-linking would provide a national savings of up to $736 million per year, and these patients would save more than $8,600 in direct medical costs.

The study, sponsored by Glaukos, used economic decision modeling to simulate outcomes for 2,000 progressive keratoconus patients undergoing epi-off corneal collagen cross-linking with the iLink system (Glaukos) vs. conventional management.

The study’s researchers assumed a 4:1 ratio of slow-to-fast keratoconus progressors, based on rates of progression in the literature and clinical experience. According to the model, cost effectiveness would be achieved within two years and cost savings in less than five years compared with conventional management. Future studies are needed to evaluate actual rates of progression, to determine whether the calculated costs in the model should be adjusted up or down. OM

1. Lindstrom RL, Berdahl JP, Donnenfeld ED, et al. Corneal cross-linking versus conventional management for keratoconus: a lifetime economic model. J Med Econ 2020; an-Dec 2021;24(1):410-420. doi: 10.1080/13696998.2020.1851556.