Boston Keratoprosthesis as cost-effective as corneal transplantation

Researchers used cost-utility analysis to determine the cost-effectiveness of the Boston Keratoprosthesis in 82 patients with various indications for corneal surgery. Patients with autoimmune diseases or chemical burns were excluded. All patients were followed for a minimum of two years. The average cost-effectiveness of the keratoprosthesis was around $16,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY), which equates to a more than 20 percent improvement in life quality over no therapy for severe corneal disease and compares favorably to keratoplasty, which has been reported to have a per-QALY cost-effectiveness of between $12,000 and $16,000.

The authors conclude that the Boston Keratoprosthesis should be strongly considered by providers as a highly cost-effective option for patients with, or at risk for developing, keratoplasty graft failure.