Title: Posterior capsule opacification and YAG capsulotomy
Abstract: Neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy is one of the most frequently performed ophthalmic procedures and as a consequence one of the largest expenditures to the national health care system (second only to cataract surgery itself). In 2002 approximately 650,000 YAG capsulotomies were performed on Medicare patients alone. Given the Medicare allowable fee of approximately 240 dollars per case, the expenditure for Medicare patients alone is 156 million dollars annually. Taken in combination with the fact that Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy is occasionally associated with some morbidity, 1 Apple D.J. Solomon K.D. Tetz M.R et al. Posterior capsule opacification. Surv Ophthalmol. 1992; 37: 73-7116 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (809) Google Scholar Nd:YAG capsulotomy must be considered a major public health concern. Eradication of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) thus becomes an important goal of modern ophthalmology. Is this achievable and if so how?
Publication Year: 2004
Publication Date: 2004-10-01
Language: en
Type: letter
Indexed In: ['crossref', 'pubmed']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 7
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