UNSTRUCTURED
To assess the cost-effectiveness of AI technology and advanced imaging with fundus cameras screening compared to the standard ophthalmologist's exam and an ophthalmic exam by a physician's assistant or nurse practitioner technician, for detecting most common aged eye disease AMD, glaucoma, and DR.
Costs were estimated from market prices and actual resource use. Medical system costs per true positive were around $200 for a new patient and $100-$150 for an established patient for ophthalmologist examination annually, costing 45-degrees photos $15 and AI system $35 per patient.
Primary-care screening with AI technology and retinal photographs for AMD, glaucoma and DR is an appropriate and cost-effective alternative to screening by an ophthalmologist in this setting. Ophthalmologists are scarce, primary-care physicians are extremely busy, and large clinics allow fixed equipment costs to be spread across many patients.