Proportion and Reasons for Ineligibility to Re-register for Extended Health Insurance in Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration
10.3341/jkos.2021.62.7.948
- Author:
Won Tae YOON
1
;
Jong Woo KIM
;
Chul Gu KIM
;
Jae Hui KIM
Author Information
1. Kim’s Eye Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
2021;62(7):948-956
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Purpose:To evaluate the proportion and reasons for ineligibility to re-register for extended health insurance at 5 years in patients diagnosed with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and registered for extended health insurance.
Methods:This retrospective study was performed in patients diagnosed with neovascular AMD and registered for extended health insurance with follow-up for at least 5 years. The criteria for re-registration for extended health insurance were determined along with the ineligibility for re-registration.
Results:In total, 263 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 148 (56.3%) did not satisfy the criteria for re-registration. No active treatment was performed in 98 patients during the last 6 months of the study period (no recurrence, 51 patients; additional treatment was not considered beneficial due to retinal damage even without disciform scar formation, 44 patients). Macular disciform scar formation was noted in 50 patients (33.8%). Older age (p = 0.013), poor visual acuity (p = 0.004), and retinal angiomatous proliferation (p < 0.001) were associated with ineligibility for re-registration due to severe retinal damage.
Conclusions:Among the patients who were initially registered for extended health insurance, 56.3% failed to satisfy the re-registration criteria. The primary reason was advanced retinal damage. The results of this study provide useful information for patient education and to establish long-term treatment strategies.
