Nonmedical economic consequences attributable to visual impairment

Abstract

The nonmedical costs of visual impairment are crucial when allocating resources for prevention or treatment programs. Were analyzed the data from two representative nationwide French surveys aimed at documenting impairments that included 14,603 subjects living in institutions and 16,945 in the community. Three groups were identified: blind (light perception), low vision (loss of shape perception, LV), and controls. Item consumption was standardized on confounding factors using logistic regression. Costs attributable to visual impairment were estimated from control subjects. National nonmedical costs due to visual impairment were euro 9,806 million, arising mostly from LV (euro 8,735 million). The annual average cost/subject was euro 7,242 for LV and euro 15,679 for blindness. Loss of family income was euro 4,552 million, the burden on the caregiver euro 2,525 million, paid assistance euro 2,025 million, social allowances euro 0,942 million, and unmet needs euro 5,553 million. Resource allocation strategies aimed at controlling visual impairment should cover all relevant economic dimensions, including nonmedical items.

The economic burden of visual impairment and blindness: a systematic review

“…The wide range of time and resources spent on informal care provision demonstrates the broad economic impact and considerable burden of informal care provision with concurrent expenses at a personal and societal level. Again, the reported cost aspects and methodologies differ considerably with, for example, Keeffe et al 24 reporting out-of-pocket expenses and Lafuma et al 26 reporting time spent on caring using an hourly rate. The multitude of differing approaches in each study does not allow for a head-to-head comparison but gives a comprehensive impression of the complex cost situation and highlights the importance of providing assistance to VI&B (table 4).…”

“…Received social allowances were detailed in one study but not counted towards the overall costs as they were considered as transfer costs 29. One study included the loss of caregivers’ time, which is spent not only on support in terms of productivity loss but also as a loss of personal time and time to engage in leisure activities 26. Equal to other cost components, indirect costs correlated with the degree of visual impairment, with the highest indirect costs reported for blind persons.…”

Cost Effectiveness of Treatments for Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

“…[3] Costs associated with visual impairment are considerable, and include medical care, loss of income and paid home help. A 2006 study in France [4] estimated that total country-wide nonmedical costs of visual impairment were h9800 million per annum. A similar study in Australia [5] estimated that the 2004 cost for vision disorders was Australian dollars ($A)9850 million.…”

Cost of cataract surgery after implantation of three intraocular lenses

“…It was estimated by the centers that participated in the retrospective European study, for each type of complication identifi ed in a review of the literature. 17…”

“…These costs were estimated at 7,242/person/year and 16,679/person/year, for low vision and blindness, respectively, in France. 17…”