[Cost of phacoemulsification in the national campaign of elective cataract surgery in Itápolis, SP, Brazil].

PURPOSE: To determine the average cost of cataract surgery using the phacoemulsification technique with intraocular lens implant (IOL). This study was conducted during a national campaign to treat patients with cataracts promoted by the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology (CBO) and the Health Ministry in the city of Itápolis-SP from March to December, 2000.

METHODS

All expenses related to the surgery were collected (pre-, intra-, and postoperative data) and analyzed. Fifty-eight patients with senile cataracts and without any other ocular findings were submitted to the procedure in a prospective study.

RESULTS

The average cost of the surgery in this study was R$ 485.03 or USD 248.05. This value represents the average cost of the surgery itself; in which some materials, equipment, taxes and other services were previously determined and used for this project.

CONCLUSION

The phacoemulsification technique for cataract surgery has been used more and more, due to its effectiveness, being an excellent method to treat cataracts. Although this is an excellent technique, the economical aspect does not allow it to be used for part of the population.