Keywords: ophthalmology, retina, macular degeneration, therapy, cost effectiveness, quality of life

“Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Era of Value-Based Health Care”

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration is a disorder of the retina in the eye. The dissertation describes that without treatment, sharpness of sight and quality of life of patients deteriorate considerably. Earlier studies have investigated the cost-effectiveness of treatments, often with incorrect assumptions. A new computer model showed that treatment with the medicine ‘bevacizumab’ is cost-effective. Furthermore, the thesis describes methods that can help ophthalmologists make decisions about whether or not to treat a patient, based on the sharpness of sight and quality of life. Treatments have also been compared on practical results. Points for improvement in diagnosis and treatment were also found.