Costs Associated With the Use of Disposable Gonioscopy Lenses and Tonometry Tips.

Précis: Cost of disposable ophthalmic equipment.

Purpose

The authors performed a cost analysis comparing the use of disposable and reusable tonometry equipment and gonioscopy lenses.

Methods

All adult patient (≥16 y of age) visits in a 1-year period were included. Scenario analysis was employed to calculate the cost of disposable [Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) tips, rebound tonometry tips, and gonioscopy lenses] and reusable equipment (GAT tips and gonioscopy lenses) as well as sanitization over 2, 5, and 10 years at a single institution. To account for variability in scenario modeling, a sensitivity analysis was additionally performed. The main outcome measure was cost differences for disposable equipment compared with reusable equipment with sanitization.

Results

The total volume included was 80,356 patient visits. Accounting for variable costs, the additional cost associated with disposable tonometry (GAT or rebound tonometry tips) instead of reusable GAT was $118,723 over 2 years and $603,924 over 10 years. Assuming a gonioscopy frequency of 3.2%, the additional cost associated with disposable gonioscopy lenses was $171,100 at 5 years and $361,237 at 10 years. At a gonioscopy frequency of 10%, the additional cost associated with disposable lenses was $1,208,096 without inflation at 10 years. Overall, the total additional cost associated with disposable tonometry tips and gonioscopy lenses over reusable versions of this equipment was $965,161 over 10 years at a single institution.

Conclusion

A widespread transition from reusable to disposable tonometry and gonioscopy equipment was associated with an additional cost of $965,161 over a 10-year period at a single institution.