title: Economic impact of primary open-angle glaucoma in Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Glaucoma is the World's leading cause of irreversible blindness, and poses serious public health and economic concerns.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Published randomized trials and population-based studies since 1985.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the economic impact of primary open-angle glaucoma and model the effect of changes in detection rates and management strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cost-effectiveness of different interventions to prevent vision loss from primary open-angle glaucoma was measured in terms of financial cost (Australian dollars) and disability-adjusted life years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of glaucoma in Australia is expected to increase from 208 000 in 2005 to 379 000 in 2025 because of the aging population. Health system costs over the same time period are estimated to increase from $AU355 million to $AU784 million. Total costs (health system costs, indirect costs and costs of loss of well-being) will increase from $AU1.9 billion to $AU4.3 billion in Australia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Primary open-angle glaucoma poses a significant economic burden, which will increase substantially by 2025. This dynamic model provides a valuable tool for ongoing policy formulation and determining the economic impact of interventions to better prevent visual impairment and blindness from glaucoma.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne             Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria             Access Economics Pty Limited, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dirani
authors.forename: Jonathan G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Crowston
authors.forename: Penny S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Peter T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: M Lynne
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Pezzullo
authors.forename: Jill E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Keeffe
authors.forename: Hugh R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000191:economics; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000191:economics; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000191:economics; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012307:Risk Factors; D014130:Trabeculectomy / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents