Staggering Cost Of Vision Loss In Canada Underscores Urgent Need For Vision Health Plan, Says New Report

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Article Date: 26 Jun 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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Vision loss costs Canadian society a staggering $15.8 billlion per year - significantly higher than previously estimated, according to new research study released on June 23, 2009, by CNIB and the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS). The study's proponents say these costs, which are expected to increase dramatically in the years ahead, underscore the urgent need for Canada to develop a comprehensive national vision health plan.

The $15.8 billion price tag for vision loss in Canada includes $8.6 billion in direct health-related costs - the highest of such costs of any disease category in Canada including diabetes, all cancers and cardiovascular disease. It also includes $7.2 billion in indirect costs, including lost productivity and earnings, care and rehabilitation and assistive devices.

The Cost of Vision Loss study is also the first to attribute a value to the human toll of vision loss on Canadians who are directly affected. This burden of disease adds a further $11.7 billion to the bill for Canada - the largest of all costs attributed to vision loss.

"The findings from this study represent the most definitive data now available about the cost of vision loss in Canada," says Dr. Alan Cruess, Professor and Head District Chief Department of Ophthalmology, Dalhousie University/Capital Health and past president of COS. "With the demographic shift, we know these costs will spiral upwards and overburden Canada's healthcare system unless we take action now."

The study also examined who bears the cost of vision loss, finding that the largest financial costs come out of taxpayers' pockets: Canada's federal and provincial governments bear 55 per cent of the costs and "all of society" bears a further 19 per cent. Individuals with vision loss bear significant personal costs totaling $3.5 billion annually.

The report's troubling new statistics underscore the urgent need for Canada to create a comprehensive plan to address all aspects of vision health and vision loss. Such a plan could reduce the financial and human costs of vision loss through proven, cost-effective preventative measures and treatments and employment accommodation and rehabilitation services for people affected by vision loss.

Although the Canadian government made a commitment to the World Health Organization in 2003 to create such a plan under the Vision 2020 Right to Sight initiative, it has yet to do so.

"The Canadian government needs to develop and implement a comprehensive vision health plan for Canada now," says John M. Rafferty, CNIB President and CEO. "Some interim measures have been taken, but we literally can't afford to wait any longer. Every year we wait, more than 45,000 Canadians lose their vision. Every year that goes by costs Canadians $15.8 billion."

As Canada's foremost vision health organization, CNIB is eager to work with government leaders and the private sector to shape and guide future policy for healthcare funding and support for people with vision loss.

"CNIB is eager to be a part of building this plan, but the scope of the effort far eclipses our role as a donor-funded charity focused on delivering services," says Rafferty. "Canada's federal and provincial governments must act now to make vision health a public health priority."

About the Study

The Cost of Vision Loss in Canada was commissioned by CNIB and the Canadian Ophthalmological Society in 2008 and conducted by Access Economics Pty Limited, a world-leading independent economic consulting firm who are specialists in model-based health forecasting and analysis. The firm has previously completed cost of vision loss studies in Australia, Japan and the United States. Using prevalence-based and conservative methodolgy, the study is the first to estimate the cost of vision loss in Canada by building on existing authoritive sources of Canadian data and research (as of 2007). The research takes into account Canada's multiculatural society and future demographic trends. It uses known costs wherever possible, accurately reflecting real Canadian expenditures and government health policies.

For more information, including the Cost of Vision Loss Summary Report and "Paying the Price," a position paper which provides CNIB's response to the report and recommendations for a national vision health plan, visit http://www.cnib.ca/covl

Source
The Cost of Vision Loss in Canada