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  • Title: The economic impact and cost of visual impairment in Australia.
    Author: Taylor HR, Pezzullo ML, Keeffe JE.
    Journal: Br J Ophthalmol; 2006 Mar; 90(3):272-5. PubMed ID: 16488942.
    Abstract:
    AIMS: To quantify the total economic costs of vision loss in Australia. METHODS: Prevalence data of visual impairment, unpublished data on indirect costs, and national healthcare cost databases were used. RESULTS: Vision disorders cost Australia an estimated A$9.85 billion in 2004. A$4.8 billion is the loss of wellbeing (years of life lost as a result of disability and premature mortality). Vision disorders rank seventh and account for 2.7% of the national loss of wellbeing. Direct health system costs total A$1.8 billion. They have increased by A$1 billion over the last 10 years and will increase a further A$1-2 billion in the next 10 years. Cataract, the largest direct cost, takes 18% of expenditure. The health system costs place vision disorders seventh, ahead of coronary heart disease, diabetes, depression, and stroke. Indirect costs, A$3.2 billion, include carers' costs, low vision aids, lost earnings, and other welfare payments and taxes. CONCLUSIONS: Even a developed economy such as Australia's cannot afford avoidable vision loss. Priority needs to be given to prevent preventable vision loss; to treat treatable eye diseases; and to increase research into vision loss that can be neither prevented nor treated.
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