Estimation of Economic Burden of Cataract Disease in Iran: A Cross-sectional Research

Cataract disease is among the conditions that impose a substantial economic cost on countries every year due to their high prevalence rate. The prevalence of this disease has caused significant direct and indirect costs. This study aimed to estimate the economic burden caused by the costs of the cataract disease. This descriptive, analytical, and cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with cataract disease in Farabi Hospital of Tehran, Iran in 2014. Data were collected using the cost-determination checklist, a questionnaire, interviews with experts, and previous studies in this field. In addition, the Prevalence-based and social capital approaches were exploited to estimate the economic burden and costs of the cataract disease, respectively. Costs were divided into three types of medical expenses, patient and family expenses, and productivity lost costs. Data analysis was performed in Excel software. The economic burden of the cataract disease was estimated at 6202529401500 rials. Results demonstrated that the hospitalization costs were significantly higher, compared to the other costs related to the cataract disease. According to the results of the study, the economic burden associated with the cataract disease was equal to 0.13% of the gross domestic product and included 2.43% health expenditure of Iran in 2010.