Abstract
Objective
This study aimed to show the cost-effective benefits of creating a sustainable local
program where Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) grafts were prepared
locally instead of imported from American eye banks.
Design
Retrospective observational study.
Methods
In 2018, 2 local technicians were trained to prestrip DMEK grafts in Edmonton up to
2 days before surgery when local donor tissue was available. When no local tissue
was available, prestripped DMEK grafts were imported from U.S. eye banks. The total
cost of locally prepared and imported DMEK grafts over 27 months was compared with
the cost that otherwise would have been accrued if all DMEK grafts had been imported.
Results
Over 27 months, 82 DMEK grafts (55.3%) were prepared locally and 63 DMEK grafts (44.7%)
were imported. The total cost of preparing 82 grafts locally was $9349.19. The total
cost of importing 63 prestripped DMEK grafts was $282 431.52. The combined total cost
of locally prepared and imported DMEK grafts was $291 780.71. The total cost that
otherwise would have been incurred if every graft was imported was $632 108.64. This
difference in costs was $340 327.93 over 27 months.
Conclusions
Establishing a sustainable program to make high-quality DMEK grafts with local donor
corneas is a cost-effective alternative to importing prestripped DMEK grafts in Edmonton.
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: May 17, 2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofFootnotes
Originally received Nov. 22, 2021. Final revision Apr. 16, 2022. Accepted Apr. 21, 2022.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
