A Cost-benefit Analysis of Cataract Surgery based on the English Longitudinal Survey of Ageing

This paper uses the English Longitudinal Survey of Ageing to explore the selfreport effect of cataract operations on eyesight. Calibrating the results to an existing study of the effect of imperfect eyesight on qualty of life, the impact of cataract operations on quality-adjusted life-years is found to be very similar to that established in specific studies and well above the costs of cataract operations. The implications of this for the treatment of medical care in the national accounts are discussed.