Does the Implantable Telescope Materially Improve the Quality of Life of AMD Sufferers?
July 15, 2011
In a past post we had reported on a new treatment for end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD): an implantable miniature telescope (IMT) that amplifies vision and was approved by the FDA in Summer 2010.
But does this device provide enough of an improvement in quality of life to be worth the trouble and cost?
A recent study assessed just that by calculating the additional cost of the implant versus no therapy along with the gain in vision to arrive at a cost-utility ratio ($/Quality of life, or US dollars expended per quality of life gained). The authors calculated that the ratio for the implant was $14,389/Quality of life, a 12.5% gain. This was compared to cataract surgery, which had a $11,805/Quality of life calculation.
The implant therefore represents a sizable improvement in quality of life at a high cost-effectiveness.
To see the full abstract, click here.
To read about the FDA approval for the IMT, click here.
Risa Schulman, PhD
Expert, Healthy Food and Dietary Supplement Science, Marketing and Regulatory
Tap~Root
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