Abstract
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 239-247 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Ophthalmic Epidemiology |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 30 Jun 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 30 Jun 2017 |
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Keywords
- Blindness
- direct costs
- productivity loss
- visual impairment
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The Economic Impact of Blindness in Europe. / Chakravarthy, Usha; Biundo, Eliana; Saka, Omer; Fasser, Christina; Bourne, Rupert; Little, Julie-Anne.
In: Ophthalmic Epidemiology, Vol. 24, No. 4, 30.06.2017, p. 239-247.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - The Economic Impact of Blindness in Europe
AU - Chakravarthy, Usha
AU - Biundo, Eliana
AU - Saka, Omer
AU - Fasser, Christina
AU - Bourne, Rupert
AU - Little, Julie-Anne
PY - 2017/6/30
Y1 - 2017/6/30
N2 - PURPOSE: To estimate the annual loss of productivity from blindness and moderate to severe visual impairment (MSVI) in the population aged >50 years in the European Union (EU).METHODS: We estimated the cost of lost productivity using three simple models reported in the literature based on (1) minimum wage (MW), (2) gross national income (GNI), and (3) purchasing power parity-adjusted gross domestic product (GDP-PPP) losses. In the first two models, assumptions included that all individuals worked until 65 years of age, and that half of all visual impairment cases in the >50-year age group would be in those aged between 50 and 65 years. Loss of productivity was estimated to be 100% for blind individuals and 30% for those with MSVI. None of these models included direct medical costs related to visual impairment.RESULTS: The estimated number of blind people in the EU population aged >50 years is ~1.28 million, with a further 9.99 million living with MSVI. Based on the three models, the estimated cost of blindness is €7.81 billion, €6.29 billion and €17.29 billion and that of MSVI €18.02 billion, €24.80 billion and €39.23 billion, with their combined costs €25.83 billion, €31.09 billion and €56.52 billion, respectively. The estimates from the MW and adjusted GDP-PPP models were generally comparable, whereas the GNI model estimates were higher, probably reflecting the lack of adjustment for unemployment.CONCLUSION: The cost of blindness and MSVI in the EU is substantial. Wider use of available cost-effective treatment and prevention strategies may reduce the burden significantly.
AB - PURPOSE: To estimate the annual loss of productivity from blindness and moderate to severe visual impairment (MSVI) in the population aged >50 years in the European Union (EU).METHODS: We estimated the cost of lost productivity using three simple models reported in the literature based on (1) minimum wage (MW), (2) gross national income (GNI), and (3) purchasing power parity-adjusted gross domestic product (GDP-PPP) losses. In the first two models, assumptions included that all individuals worked until 65 years of age, and that half of all visual impairment cases in the >50-year age group would be in those aged between 50 and 65 years. Loss of productivity was estimated to be 100% for blind individuals and 30% for those with MSVI. None of these models included direct medical costs related to visual impairment.RESULTS: The estimated number of blind people in the EU population aged >50 years is ~1.28 million, with a further 9.99 million living with MSVI. Based on the three models, the estimated cost of blindness is €7.81 billion, €6.29 billion and €17.29 billion and that of MSVI €18.02 billion, €24.80 billion and €39.23 billion, with their combined costs €25.83 billion, €31.09 billion and €56.52 billion, respectively. The estimates from the MW and adjusted GDP-PPP models were generally comparable, whereas the GNI model estimates were higher, probably reflecting the lack of adjustment for unemployment.CONCLUSION: The cost of blindness and MSVI in the EU is substantial. Wider use of available cost-effective treatment and prevention strategies may reduce the burden significantly.
KW - Blindness
KW - direct costs
KW - productivity loss
KW - visual impairment
U2 - 10.1080/09286586.2017.1281426
DO - 10.1080/09286586.2017.1281426
M3 - Article
VL - 24
SP - 239
EP - 247
JO - Ophthalmic Epidemiology
T2 - Ophthalmic Epidemiology
JF - Ophthalmic Epidemiology
SN - 0928-6586
IS - 4
ER -