Department of Ophthalmology, Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, India.
Bachelor of Optometry, Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, Goa, India.
Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023 Feb;71(2):560-566. doi: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_1676_22.
To determine the economic burden of glaucoma on patients.
A cross-sectional study was conducted on glaucoma patients diagnosed at least 6 weeks prior to the study and on topical anti-glaucoma medications. After consenting, patients were asked about their monthly income, education, occupation, treatment duration, drugs being used, cost of drugs, one bottle lasts for, financial dependence for treatment, glaucoma surgery, transportation means and cost, etc. Also, information regarding government reimbursement of medical costs was collected.
Seventy-four patients aged 60.18±11.5 years (40 males and 34 females) were enrolled. Majority were retirees (37.84%) and Homemakers (29.73%). Fifty (68%) participants didn't earn anything. Sixty-three patients had bilateral involvement and 52.70% were on treatment for >3 years. Prostaglandin analogs were most commonly used drugs (34.21%). Average cost of medications and travelling was ₹669.46 per month and ₹203.38 per visit respectively. Majority were financially responsible for their own treatment (62.16%). Patients had an average monthly income of ₹7108.11. Low-income group spent 26.08 % of their monthly salary on glaucoma treatment. Low-moderate and high-income group spent 5.17% and 1.50% of their monthly income respectively. Only 4.05% were covered by government reimbursement. Gender (P=0.019), occupation (P=0.010), whether undergone surgery (P=0.007), whether accompanied (P=0.027), hours lost during each visit (P=0.016) and treatment impression (P=0.027) showed statistical significance when associated with financial dependence.
Treatment should be modified according to the patient's socioeconomic status. Glaucoma education programs and screening camps in remote areas would help in early detection of the disease.
确定青光眼患者的经济负担。
对至少在研究前 6 周被诊断为青光眼并正在使用局部抗青光眼药物的患者进行横断面研究。在征得同意后，患者被问及他们的月收入、教育程度、职业、治疗持续时间、使用的药物、药物费用、一瓶持续时间、治疗的经济依赖性、青光眼手术、交通方式和费用等。此外，还收集了有关医疗费用政府报销的信息。
共纳入 74 名 60.18±11.5 岁（40 名男性和 34 名女性）的患者。大多数是退休人员（37.84%）和家庭主妇（29.73%）。50 名（68%）参与者没有任何收入。63 名患者双眼受累，52.70%的患者治疗时间超过 3 年。前列腺素类似物是最常用的药物（34.21%）。药物和交通的平均每月费用分别为₹669.46 和 ₹203.38。大多数人自己承担治疗费用（62.16%）。患者的月平均收入为₹7108.11。低收入组将其月薪的 26.08%用于治疗青光眼。中低收入组和高收入组分别花费其月收入的 5.17%和 1.50%。只有 4.05%的人得到政府报销。性别（P=0.019）、职业（P=0.010）、是否接受过手术（P=0.007）、是否有人陪同（P=0.027）、每次就诊损失的时间（P=0.016）和治疗印象（P=0.027）与经济依赖性相关，具有统计学意义。
应根据患者的社会经济状况调整治疗方案。在偏远地区开展青光眼教育计划和筛查活动有助于早期发现该疾病。
