Global Burden Of Uncorrected Presbyopia On Health-Related Quality Of Life And Disability-Adjusted Life-Years

To review the effects of uncorrected presbyopia on the global economy, productivity, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs).

Review of published studies

We reviewed recent estimates of economic burden of uncorrected refractive error and presbyopia, as well as estimates of HRQoL and DALYs. DALYs account for the number of disabled years as well as the severity of the disability.

DALYs due to uncorrected refractive error vary by global region, and the number of DALYs per population increases steadily with age due to the onset of presbyopia. The population-standardized trend of DALYs remained relatively constant during 1990 to 2013, suggesting a continuing unmet demand for correction. Over a billion people suffer from presbyopia, and this is expected to increase steadily. This translates into a high economic impact of presbyopia, valued at 0.037% of global GDP. This is particularly problematic in low-income countries; correcting presbyopia to European levels would reduce the economic burden to 0.002%. Several studies indicate reduced HRQoL due to uncorrected presbyopia.

Presbyopia pathogenesis and treatment paradigms are presented.  Important strategies for reducing ocular pathologies of presbyopia include health promotion, awareness education, health literacy and longevity behaviors. An international formal health planning model is useful for planning educational campaigns.