The cost-effectiveness of different visual acuity screening strategies in three European countries: A microsimulation study

Eveline A.M. Heijnsdijk*, Mirjam L. Verkleij, for the EUS€REEN Foundation, Jill Carlton, Anna M. Horwood, Maria Fronius, Jan Kik, Frea Sloot, Cristina Vladutiu, Huibert J. Simonsz, Harry J. de Koning

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Childhood vision screening programmes in Europe differ by age, frequency and location at which the child is screened, and by the professional who performs the test. The aim of this study is to compare the cost-effectiveness for three countries with different health care structures. We developed a microsimulation model of amblyopia. The natural history parameters were calibrated to a Dutch observational study. Sensitivity, specificity, attendance, lost to follow-up and costs in the three countries were based on the EUSCREEN Survey. Quality adjusted life-years (QALYs) were calculated using assumed utility loss for unilateral persistent amblyopia (1%) and bilateral visual impairment (8%). We calculated the cost-effectiveness of screening (with 3.5% annual discount) by visual acuity measurement at age 5 years or 4 and 5 years in the Netherlands by nurses in child healthcare centres, in England and Wales by orthoptists in schools and in Romania by urban kindergarten nurses. We compared screening at various ages and with various frequencies. Assuming an amblyopia prevalence of 36 per 1,000 children, the model predicted that 7.2 cases of persistent amblyopia were prevented in the Netherlands, 6.6 in England and Wales and 4.5 in Romania. The cost-effectiveness was €24,159, €19,981 and €23,589, per QALY gained respectively, compared with no screening. Costs/QALY was influenced most by assumed utility loss of unilateral persistent amblyopia. For all three countries, screening at age 5, or age 4 and 5 years were optimal. Despite differences in health care structure, vision screening by visual acuity measurement seemed cost-effective in all three countries.

Original languageEnglish
Article number101868
JournalPreventive Medicine Reports
Volume28
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 733352.

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors

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