A multicentre, retrospective study of resource utilization and costs associated with glaucoma management in France and Sweden

PURPOSE: To assess resource utilization and costs associated with glaucoma management in France and Sweden. METHODS: A total of 267 patient records (121 in France, 146 in Sweden) with diagnoses of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OH), treated medically, were reviewed for a 2-year period (beginning during 1997-99) for relevant clinical and resource utilization data. Economic data were applied to estimate treatment costs. RESULTS: The annual cost of treating glaucoma was estimated at SEK5305 (531 euro )/patient in Sweden and 390 euro/patient in France. In both countries, medication costs comprised about half of the total costs. Surgical procedures and hospitalizations represented greater proportions of total cost in France (7.0% and 9.6%, respectively) than in Sweden (3.7% and 0.6%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Medication costs represent a high proportion of total treatment costs. These findings highlight the relative importance of medical therapy and of assessing the cost-effectiveness of medications in glaucoma.