Costs of Managing Diabetic Macular Edema With Good Visual Acuity With Aflibercept, Laser, or Observation: DRCR Retina Network Protocol V.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Because eyes with center-involved diabetic macular edema (CI-DME) and good baseline visual acuity (VA) showed no difference in VA loss when managed initially with observation, laser, or aflibercept, understanding the estimated costs of these strategies to the US population is relevant for health care planning.

Design

Preplanned cost analysis from a randomized controlled trial (DRCR Retina Network Protocol V).

Methods

Total costs for managing participants with CI-DME and good baseline VA assigned to aflibercept (n = 226), laser (n = 240), or observation (n = 236) during the 2-year multicenter trial were calculated. Observation or laser groups initiated aflibercept if VA decreased. The aflibercept group received injections up to every 4 weeks. Using epidemiologi

SUBMITTER: Hutton DW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8630983 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature