Abstract

SA.02.01

Glaucoma surgery in Germany: epidemiology and costs

Christian Wolfram, Norbert Pfeiffer
University Eye Clinic Mainz

Objective: Little is known about the population-wide disease prevalence for open angle glaucoma and the frequency of surgical interventions in glaucoma. A model calculation based on data from population based eye studies as well as data from official population and health care statistics can provide estimations for the current situation in Germany. An analysis for the economic impact for society is being presented, too.
Methods: Publications of big epidemiological eye studies allow a rough estimate for the prevalence and incidence of glaucoma in Germany. Official data for the population size and for in-patient treatment frequencies are being published regularly by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Statistisches Bundesamt). DRG statistics as well as the yearly report for the use of ophthalmic medication are being used for cost estimations in glaucoma treatments.
Results: Assuming a rough prevalance rate for glaucoma of 1.5 percent in the population, 670.000 adult persons are currently affected with a yearly incidence of 44.600 persons. Glaucoma surgery accounted for 6.9 percent of all eye operations in Germany in the year 2007, of which approx. 33.000 were performed as in-patient, 4.500 as outpatient surgeries. Total yearly costs for glaucoma surgery were approx. 87 million Euros, the market volume for anti-glaucomatous eye drops was approx. 266 million Euros.
Conclusions: Epidemiologic and health economic data is needed in order to better understand and to improve medical and social care for glaucoma patients in Germany. The impact of cost dimensions in glaucoma treatments is going to become more important in the coming years as demographic changes and budget limitations will continue.

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