The Economic Burden of Glaucoma in Iran, 2012

Glaucoma imposes direct and indirect costs on societies. The current study aimed at estimating the economic burden of glaucoma in Iran in 2012.
The study was performed based on the partial economic evaluation method. The prevalence-based approach and bottom-up method were used. The human capital approach was used to calculate indirect costs. Required data were obtained from interview with 10 eye specialists and 100 patients, literature review, and review of 100 medical records of patients at Farabi Hospital in Tehran.
The total cost of the disease was $US 1,746,412.35, which 77.09% of the costs were related to direct cost; indirect costs accounted for 22.91% of the total costs. The total cost of hospitalization included the highest share of direct medical costs (74.4%). Average cost of outpatient for surgical and nonsurgical groups were $US 14.87 and $US 14.11, respectively. The average cost of hospitalization was $US 180.54.
Glaucoma imposed high economic burden on Iran. Proper planning for the early treatment of the disease and prevention of its complications could reduce costs of treatment and disability.