The cost effectiveness of selected optometric procedures

Abstract

As funding of optometric care by third parties and the government increases, more regulation of vision care is anticipated. Utilization of cost effectiveness studies may largely determine methods of optometric care provided by third. parties and government. Consequently, a method of determining cost effectiveness of optometric procedures is developed and applied to three models of optometric care. Data taken from a review of patient records are used to develop quantifiable cost criteria for a specified patient group. These criteria include actual cost, patient acceptance (satisfaction), and professional acceptance of prescribed therapy. These criteria are then applied to each model of patient care to quantify the most cost effective model.