Burden of Ocular Surface Disease in Patients With Glaucoma From Australia

Purpose: In the Australian general population, the economic burden of ocular surface disease (OSD) severity and other dry eye-related diagnosis have been conducted; however, the glaucoma population has not been evaluated. We assessed the current OSD economic burden in Australian glaucoma patients. Design: A cross-sectional, case-comparison study that quantified OSD signs and symptoms was conducted. Methods: Patients with and without glaucoma from an Australian eye hospital participated. Patient-/physician-reported OSD assessment and literature-based cost-of-burden estimates were used to estimate burden of illness from the health care system (direct costs) and societal (indirect costs) perspectives. Ocular surface disease prevalence and costs were estimated. Results: Significant OSD, defined as the presence of 2 or more signs plus 1 or more symptoms reported "often'' or "always,'' was experienced by 39% of patients with glaucoma and 18% of a control group (P < 0.001); both populations had similar prevalence of mild OSD. Significant OSD cost estimates were Australian dollars (AU$) 1061.25 (direct costs) and AU$14078.40 (indirect costs); average (direct and indirect) was AU$6185.79 per patient per year. Based on 39% prevalence rate for significant OSD, estimated total cost to Australian society was AU$330.5 million per annum. Conclusions: The use of standard OSD definition across research would allow for comparisons between studies and for improved OSD prevalence estimates. In Australia, 39% of patients with glaucoma were found to have significant (moderate/severe) OSD, and the associated economic burden was AU$ 330.5 million per annum. Additional research evaluating quality of life and assessing actual direct/indirect OSD costs in the Australian population is warranted.