Scholarlink

Purpose <p>To analyze the associated costs of the implantation of the Lucia Keratoprosthesis (KPro) in a resource-limited tertiary care center.</p> Methods <p>A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients who underwent Lucia KPro implantation. For the first 24&#xa0;months of follow-up, the costs for initial evaluation, surgery, postoperative visits, and management of complications were assessed and converted to U.S. dollars. Visual outcomes were analyzed based on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improvement and anatomical retention.</p> Results <p>A total of 24 eyes from 24 patients were analyzed. The mean follow-up was 34&#xa0;months, with a mean total cost per patient of $6,949.55 ± $1,344.54. The initial surgical cost was $2,582.31 ± 980.13. At the same time, postoperative expenses constituted 62.84% of the total fees, largely driven by the medical costs and surgical management of complications such as glaucoma (37.5%), retroprosthetic membranes (33.3%), and epithelial defects (16.7%). The mean BCVA improved from 2.40 ± 0.28 LogMAR preoperatively to 1.32 ± 1.03 LogMAR at the final follow-up (Δ = 1.08 LogMAR, p &lt; 0.001). Anatomic retention was 95.83%, and functional success (BCVA ≥ 20/200) was achieved in 62.50% of cases.</p> Conclusion <p>The Lucia KPro offers a cost-friendly alternative to address corneal blindness in resource-limited settings. Postoperative care remains a major cost driver. Strategies to prevent complications, telemedicine-based follow-ups, and national subsidy programs could further optimize accessibility and cost-effectiveness. Future multicenter studies should explore cost-sharing models to improve financial feasibility.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Cost analysis of the Lucia keratoprosthesis in a resource-limited tertiary care center

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月18日

查看全文
  • Gustavo Ortiz-Morales,
  • Mauricio Muleiro-Alvarez,
  • Javier Soberanes-Velarde,
  • Alejandro Navas,
  • Arturo Ramirez-Miranda,
  • James Chodosh,
  • Enrique O. Graue-Hernandez

摘要

Purpose

To analyze the associated costs of the implantation of the Lucia Keratoprosthesis (KPro) in a resource-limited tertiary care center.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients who underwent Lucia KPro implantation. For the first 24 months of follow-up, the costs for initial evaluation, surgery, postoperative visits, and management of complications were assessed and converted to U.S. dollars. Visual outcomes were analyzed based on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improvement and anatomical retention.

Results

A total of 24 eyes from 24 patients were analyzed. The mean follow-up was 34 months, with a mean total cost per patient of $6,949.55 ± $1,344.54. The initial surgical cost was $2,582.31 ± 980.13. At the same time, postoperative expenses constituted 62.84% of the total fees, largely driven by the medical costs and surgical management of complications such as glaucoma (37.5%), retroprosthetic membranes (33.3%), and epithelial defects (16.7%). The mean BCVA improved from 2.40 ± 0.28 LogMAR preoperatively to 1.32 ± 1.03 LogMAR at the final follow-up (Δ = 1.08 LogMAR, p < 0.001). Anatomic retention was 95.83%, and functional success (BCVA ≥ 20/200) was achieved in 62.50% of cases.

Conclusion

The Lucia KPro offers a cost-friendly alternative to address corneal blindness in resource-limited settings. Postoperative care remains a major cost driver. Strategies to prevent complications, telemedicine-based follow-ups, and national subsidy programs could further optimize accessibility and cost-effectiveness. Future multicenter studies should explore cost-sharing models to improve financial feasibility.