The economic burden of inherited retinal disease in Singapore: a prevalence-based cost-of-illness study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the economic impact of inherited retinal disease (IRD) among Singaporeans. Methods: IRD prevalence was calculated using population-based data. Focused surveys were conducted for sequentially enrolled IRD patients from a tertiary hospital. The IRD cohort was compared to the age- and gender-matched general population. Economic costs were expanded to the national IRD population to estimate productivity and healthcare costs. Results: National IRD caseload was 5202 cases (95% CI, 1734–11273). IRD patients (n = 95) had similar employment rates to the general population (67.4% vs. 70.7%; p = 0.479). Annual income was lower among IRD patients than the general population (SGD 19,..