Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare costs related to glaucoma treatment for early- and moderate-stage glaucoma patients.
 Design: Descriptive observational study.
 Methods: The study was conducted at the Eye Clinic in the Hospital of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kauno Klinikos in Lithuania. An original questionnaire was administered to 80 open-angle glaucoma patients. Data regarding the age, gender, living area, occupation, income, concomitant diseases, frequency of outpatient visits, use of topical antiglaucoma and other medications, treatment and transportation costs were collected. The Hodapp classification was used to divide patients into two main groups of early- and moderate-stage glaucoma according to visual field loss. Results with p < 0.05 were interpreted as statically significant.
 Results: There were 37 patients with early-stage glaucoma and 43 patients with moderate glaucoma. Moderate-stage glaucoma patients were 73 (± 8) years old, while patients with early-stage glaucoma were 63 (± 11) years old, (p < 0.001). Early-stage glaucoma patients visited their ophthalmologist 2.5 (± 1.5) times per year, while patients with moderate glaucoma had 4.4 (± 2.7) outpatient visits per year (p < 0.001). Patients with early-stage glaucoma used 1.8 (± 0.9) medications, while patients with moderate glaucoma used 2.9 (± 0.9) medications (p < 0.001). Combined costs for treatment and transportation totaled an average of 4.7% of patient income. Patients that were in the early stages of glaucoma spent about 3.2% of their annual income for glaucoma care and transportation, while patients with moderate-stage glaucoma spent about 5.9% of their income (p = 0.003).
 Conclusion: Moderate-stage glaucoma patients had significantly higher expenses related to glaucoma than early-stage glaucoma patients. Costs related to glaucoma comprised a significantly greater part of the income of patients who were retired than patients who were employed.
Highlights
Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disorder in which degenerating retinal ganglion cells produce significant visual disability.[1]
Costs related to glaucoma comprised a significantly greater part of the income of patients who were retired than patients who were employed
Despite the fact that the pathogenesis of glaucoma is not completely understood, it is widely accepted that elevated levels of intraocular pressure compress the optic nerve and cause progressive optic neuropathy associated with visual field loss
Summary
Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disorder in which degenerating retinal ganglion cells produce significant visual disability.[1] Despite the fact that the pathogenesis of glaucoma is not completely understood, it is widely accepted that elevated levels of intraocular pressure compress the optic nerve and cause progressive optic neuropathy associated with visual field loss. Intraocular pressure is determined by the balance between secretion of aqueous humor by the ciliary body and its drainage through two independent pathways: the trabecular meshwork and the uveoscleral outflow pathway.[2] When aqueous humor outflow is disrupted, intraocular pressure increases. Since prolonged periods of elevated intraocular pressure lead to vision loss, glaucoma can result in complete blindness
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
