Assessing the economic burden of vision loss and irreversible legal blindness in Spain (2021–2030): a societal perspective

Luis Pablo, Gonzaga Garay-Aramburu, Alfredo García Layana, Anxo Fernandez, Inmaculada Vázquez, Xenia Acebes, Jacinto Zulueta, Delfina Balonga, Laura Salinas-Ortega (), Álvaro Muñoz, Araceli Casado Gómez, Miguel Ángel Casado, Julia Salvador, Inmaculada Bañón-Rodriguez and José María Ruíz-Moreno
Additional contact information
Luis Pablo: University Hospital Miguel Servet
Gonzaga Garay-Aramburu: OSI Bilbao-Basurto
Alfredo García Layana: Navarra University Clinic
Anxo Fernandez: University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS)
Inmaculada Vázquez: Health Management. Andalusian Health Service
Xenia Acebes: CATSALUT
Jacinto Zulueta: Macula-Retina association
Delfina Balonga: Glaucoma Association of Sufferers and relatives
Laura Salinas-Ortega: Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research Iberia S. L
Álvaro Muñoz: Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research Iberia S. L
Araceli Casado Gómez: Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research Iberia S. L
Miguel Ángel Casado: Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research Iberia S. L
Julia Salvador: Former AbbVie employee
Inmaculada Bañón-Rodriguez: AbbVie Spain, S.L.U
José María Ruíz-Moreno: Universitary Hospital Puerta de Hierro

Health Economics Review, 2024, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Objective To estimate the economic impact for the society, generated as a consequence of the onset of loss of vision and irreversible legal blindness, for the main ophthalmologic diseases in Spain: glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic macular edema (DME), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and high myopia (HM). Methods A cost analysis model was developed to estimate the economic burden of glaucoma, DR, DME, AMD and HM over a 10-year time horizon (2021-2030), from a societal perspective in Spain. The epidemiological and economic parameters used in the model were obtained through a literature review. Prevalence, incidence, and progression stages were used to establish the epidemiological flows. Annual costs per patient from publications were included and classified into direct healthcare, direct non-healthcare and indirect costs. Costs from other countries were converted based on purchasing-power-parity (€EUR, PPP). Epidemiological parameters about population and cost results were validated by a panel of experts. All costs were adjusted to euros, 2021 (€, 2021), and using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the last 10 years, extrapolated to 2030 euros (€, 2030). Results It was estimated that the total population of patients with the main diseases pathologies (glaucoma, DR, DME, AMD and HM) will increase to 7.99 million patients by 2030, representing an increase of 103%. The total cost by 2030 of all pathologies would amount to 99.8 billion euros. Direct non-healthcare costs account for the largest item (44%), followed by loss of productivity costs (38%), and direct healthcare costs (18%). The pathologies with the highest cumulative costs will be glaucoma (€33.6 billion) and DME (€19.8 billion).The greatest increment costs compared to 2021 will likely be generated by pathologies related to diabetes mellitus, such as DR (703%) and DME (317%). Conclusions Knowing the costs associated with the pathologies that generate loss of vision and irreversible legal blindness is essential to understand the socioeconomic impact associated with these pathologies. Furthermore, the high cost of treating these diseases makes necessary to coordinate efforts between administrations, together with the support of patient associations, to meet their needs.

Keywords: Blindness; Cost; Epidemiology; Visual Impairment; Spain (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1186/s13561-024-00546-y

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