Glaukos touts economic savings in dual iStent study

Glaukos (NYSE:GKOS) today touted data from an economic analysis of elevated intraocular pressure treatments in open-angle glaucoma patients, which reported low cost associated with the use of its iStent devices.

The economic analysis study aimed to analyze direct cost for 3 treatment options for treating patients with elevated IOP open-angle glaucoma, including selective laser trabeculoplasty, topical glaucoma medication and the use of 2 iStent trabecular micro-bypass stents.

Results indicated a lower projected average cumulative cost at 5 years with the use of 2 iStent devices when compared to the other treatment options, according to San Clemente, Calif.-based Glaukos.

“While numerous international studies have shown the ability of two trabecular meshwork stents to effectively control IOP in open-angle glaucoma patients, this analysis is the first to reveal the potential cost efficiency of trabecular stenting, especially over longer time horizons. Our research indicates that the two-stent treatment option may reduce glaucoma-related health resource use and contribute to direct cost savings, particularly when compared to topical medication only, which is the most commonly used treatment option today but is often ineffective due to high rates of patient non-compliance,” study author Dr. John Berdahl said in a prepared statement.

Projected average cumulative cost at 5 years was $4,420 for the 2 stent procedure, lower than the projected $4,730 for SLT treatment or $6,217 for topical medication alone. Data from the study indicated that the 2-stent procedure had the highest initial year cost and the lowest annual marginal cost for each subsequent year.

“Our core strategy is to provide a full complement of micro-scale treatment options that can effectively manage IOP and overcome many of the drawbacks of conventional therapies. Peer-reviewed study results like these help to illustrate the potential for our technologies to offer important clinical and economic benefits for physicians, patients and the healthcare system,” CEO & prez Thomas Burns said in a press release.

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