Societal costs of decreased visual acuity: A Finnish cohort study with 15 years of registry data follow-up

To examine what direct and indirect societal costs are associated with decreased visual acuity (VA).

Nationally representative sample of 8028 Finnish adults aged 30 years or older with survey data and clinical examination including VA assessment was evaluated. These data were linked with multiple national registers to capture health care services utilization during 1999-2013. All direct and indirect costs were calculated using prevalence-based bottom-up approach and adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidities with generalized linear models. The results in 2019 cost level are presented according to VA groups at baseline per person, and with population estimates.

Total direct health care costs ranged from 1996 €/year/person for those with VA ≥1.0 to 3277 €/year/person for those with weak (0.32-0.5) VA. The increase in direct costs was notable even before the onset of visual impairment. Indirect costs showed monotonously increasing trend with decreasing VA. At the population level, the additional annual direct costs associated with decreased VA were estimated at 1.9 billion €. Only 2% or less of the additional costs are due to increased direct eye-related secondary health care usage. Estimated additional annual national indirect costs were 1.2 billion €.

In addition to those with visual impairment or blindness, health care need, and societal costs are elevated even among those with adequate VA. We conclude, that focusing on prevention of VA decrease would not only help sustain the patients' quality of life but could also reduce the future societal costs.