Hugh R Taylor1, M Lynne Pezzullo, Sarah J Nesbitt, Jill E Keeffe. 1. Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Blindness, East Melbourne Victoria, Australia. h.taylor@unimelb.edu.au <h.taylor@unimelb.edu.au>
Abstract
PURPOSE: To quantify the economic costs of vision loss in Australia and assess the impact of a costed intervention package to prevent avoidable vision loss. DESIGN: Existing Australian population-based data on prevalence and causes of visual impairment were used, and costs were calculated from published data for the five main causes of visual impairment. METHODS: The cost of vision loss in Australia was determined from the weighted prevalence of visual impairment; unpublished data on the indirect costs of vision; and national databases on health care costs and other economic data. A costed intervention package was developed and its economic impact modeled. Outcome measures were total costs and savings from the interventions. RESULTS: The intervention package would cost AU$188.8 million to implement in its first year but would bring a net return of AU$163.1 million in direct costs in the first year and an overall savings to the country of AU$911.1 million, a 4.8-fold return on investment. CONCLUSIONS: Three-quarters of vision loss is avoidable, and many eye care interventions are cost effective. Even a developed economy cannot afford avoidable vision loss. Priority needs to be given to the prevention and treatment of avoidable vision loss.
PURPOSE: To quantify the economic costs of vision loss in Australia and assess the impact of a costed intervention package to prevent avoidable vision loss. DESIGN: Existing Australian population-based data on prevalence and causes of visual impairment were used, and costs were calculated from published data for the five main causes of visual impairment. METHODS: The cost of vision loss in Australia was determined from the weighted prevalence of visual impairment; unpublished data on the indirect costs of vision; and national databases on health care costs and other economic data. A costed intervention package was developed and its economic impact modeled. Outcome measures were total costs and savings from the interventions. RESULTS: The intervention package would cost AU$188.8 million to implement in its first year but would bring a net return of AU$163.1 million in direct costs in the first year and an overall savings to the country of AU$911.1 million, a 4.8-fold return on investment. CONCLUSIONS: Three-quarters of vision loss is avoidable, and many eye care interventions are cost effective. Even a developed economy cannot afford avoidable vision loss. Priority needs to be given to the prevention and treatment of avoidable vision loss.
Authors: A Hajek; C Brettschneider; D Lühmann; M Eisele; S Mamone; B Wiese; S Weyerer; J Werle; M Pentzek; A Fuchs; J Stein; T Luck; H Bickel; D Weeg; K Heser; F Jessen; W Maier; M Scherer; S G Riedel-Heller; H-H König Journal: J Nutr Health Aging Date: 2017 Impact factor: 4.075
Authors: Farhan Fayez Al-Shaaln; Marwan Abdurrahman Bakrman; Adel Mohammad Ibrahim; Abdullah Srour Aljoudi Journal: Ann Saudi Med Date: 2011 Sep-Oct Impact factor: 1.526
Authors: Stephen Thompson; Kovin Naidoo; Carmen Gonzalez-Alvarez; Geoff Harris; Farai Chinanayi; James Loughman Journal: Optom Vis Sci Date: 2015-01 Impact factor: 1.973
Authors: D Green; G Ducorroy; E McElnea; A Naughton; A Skelly; C O'Neill; D Kenny; D Keegan Journal: J Ophthalmol Date: 2016-02-15 Impact factor: 1.909