title: Cost of close the gap for vision of Indigenous Australians: On estimating the extra resources required.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the costs of the extra resources required to close the gap of vision between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Constructing comprehensive eye care pathways for Indigenous Australians with their related probabilities, to capture full eye care usage compared with current usage rate for cataract surgery, refractive error and diabetic retinopathy using the best available data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urban and remote regions of Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The provision of eye care for cataract surgery, refractive error and diabetic retinopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Estimated cost needed for full access, estimated current spending and estimated extra cost required to close the gaps of cataract surgery, refractive error and diabetic retinopathy for Indigenous Australians.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total cost needed for full coverage of all three major eye conditions is $45.5 million per year in 2011 Australian dollars. Current annual spending is $17.4 million. Additional yearly cost required to close the gap of vision is $28 million. This includes extra-capped funds of $3 million from the Commonwealth Government and $2 million from the State and Territory Governments. Additional coordination costs per year are $13.3 million.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although available data are limited, this study has produced the first estimates that are indicative of the need for planning and provide equity in eye care.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Policy, Programs and Economics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Ya-seng Arthur
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Hsueh
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brando
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dunt
authors.forename: Mitchell D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Anjou
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boudville
authors.forename: Hugh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000379:methods; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics* / Q000208:ethnology*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics*; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans
keywords: Indigenous Australians; cataract surgery; diabetic retinopathy; eye health cost; refractive error