Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #103299

Vivian Valdmanis, PhD¹, Paul Foster, MD², Clare Gilbert, MD³, Winnie Nolan, MD⁴, and Jennifer Yip, MD⁴. (1) Health Policy Program, USIP, 600 S 43rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215 596 7613, v.valdma@usip.edu, (2) Epidemiology and Glucoma, Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorsfield Hospital, London, United Kingdom, (3) Interntaional Eye Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom, (4) International Eye Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom

Presently there are very limited data in the literature regarding the costs and societal burden of glaucoma in developing countries. We propose to fill this void by studying a urban and rural cohorts of individuals seeking care for glaucoma in Mongolia. Data are collected from both blind and non-blind individuals and their families in order to determine the burden of blindness on economic activities. Further, we studied the individuals who sought screening for glaucoma and laser treatments in order to determine the most cost-effective mode of prevention that can be pursued in both urban and rural venues.

The costs of glaucoma include those of providing medical, laser and surgical treatment, e cost of the trabeculectomy (the surgery for treating glaucoma, the time spend in follow-up clinic by medical personnel and the patient, and the costs from complications of the operation, e.g., cataract and blindness.

In order to take a societal perspective, we also study costs within the context of social and economic circumstances in Mongolia including differential costs between urban and rural dwellers, the provision of the state funded healthcare, and the economic climate of Mongolia. Measurements include an assessment of the burden of blindness, economic impact on the family and community, as well as the impact of both screening and blindness.

This study will present new information on ophthalmologic care in a low income country which will serve as a guideline for other health care services and vision care in economically stressed environments.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the applicability of economic principles in gauging the costs of glaucoma in a low income country.
• Apply innovative techniques for pricing benefits and costs of screening for glaucoma
• Evaluate burden of blindness for individuals and families working outside formal markets.

Keywords: Cost Issues, Vision Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation