Glaucoma costs to double by 2025

A new study shows that costs associated with glaucoma will more than double by 2025. The Australian study has estimated costs in the country to reach AUS$4.3 billion (around E2.6 billion) by 2025, more than double the total cost in 2005.

The report, "Tunnel Vision: the Economic Impact of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma", released by the Centre for Eye Research Australia and Access Economics, showed costs associated with glaucoma totalled AUS$1.9 billion in 2005. The report recommends changes to current practice to reduce the projected 2025 costs, including a public health awareness campaign. Of the 300 000 Australians living with glaucoma, half of these are currently unaware that they have the condition; late diagnosis is associated with increased cost of treatment due to extensive disease progression.

The report's recommended measures also include conducting studies to compare laser treatments with traditional glaucoma therapies and research into better understanding the pathophysiology of glaucoma, leading to the development of new, more cost-effective treatments.