Dollars and sight: the economics of ophthalmology.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this paper is to detail the economics of ophthalmology including trends in utilization, cost, and expenditure.


RESULTS
Eye care accounts for $23.1 billion, or approximately 1.93% of total health care expenditures annually. In 1991, eye care service costs in those 65 years or older were $5.5 billion, comprising 4.7% of Medicare spending. By 1999, the cost of eye care services in the 65 or older group had increased to $6 billion, but comprised only 2.8% of Medicare spending.


CONCLUSIONS
Although it is imperative that national health expenditure be controlled, ophthalmology has shouldered a disproportionate share of the cost cutting in recent years. When we consider the advances in ophthalmology and the contributions of ophthalmology to improved quality of life, the financial burden absorbed by ophthalmology is striking.
Smithen
Lindsay M
LM
Center for Value-Based Medicine, 1107 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, PA 19031, USA. l_smithen@hotmail.com
Brown
Gary C
GC
Brown
Melissa M
MM
D017281:Cost of Illness; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006801:Humans; D008484:Medicaid / Q000191:economics; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000191:economics*; D014481:United States