The economic burden of myopia diagnosis and treatment: A cross-sectional cost-of-illness study in Yantai, China.

Abstract

Background: Myopia has become a major global public health and economic issue. Population-based cost-of-illness evidence from prefecture-level cities in China remains limited. This study aimed to quantify the direct economic burden of myopia diagnosis and treatment among individuals aged 6 to 55 years in Yantai, China, and to identify factors associated with per-capita direct myopia expenditure.

Methods: A cross-sectional cost-of-illness study was conducted between September and November 2021 in Yantai. A multistage sampling strategy was used to recruit students and their parents from primary schools, middle schools, high schools/vocational schools, and universities. Questionnaire data on demographic characteristics, myopia status, correction methods, healthcare utilization, and costs were collected. A gamma generalized linear model with a log link was used to examine factors associated with total myopia expenditure.

Results: A total of 30,024 participants were included in the analysis (from 30,378 who participated). The prevalence of myopia was 36.81% (n = 11,053), with a higher rate in females (38.70%) than in males (34.95%). Spectacles were the most common correction method (94.93%). The median annual direct cost per myopic patient was 300.00 Chinese Yuan (CNY), accounting for 60.00% of total medical expenses. Children aged 6 to 10 years had the highest annual direct cost (829.50 CNY). In the gamma generalized linear model, among myopic patients with positive expenditures, age and educational level were significant predictors of the direct economic burden. For each 1-year decrease in age, the annual per capita direct cost increased by approximately 38.53 CNY (P < .01). Compared with those with postgraduate education or above, patients with primary school education or below and those with junior high school education incurred an additional 1154.61 and 226.67 CNY, respectively (P < .01), whereas gender had no significant effect (P = .39).

Conclusion: Myopia imposes a substantial economic burden in Yantai, especially among younger individuals, those with early-onset myopia, individuals with lower educational attainment, and those using expensive correction methods.