OBJECTIVES: The objective of the research was to estimate the economic burden of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) in Colombia.

METHODS: The perspective adopted was that of society, so direct and indirect medical costs were included. We used the bottom-up approach for direct costs (outpatient visits, imaging test, procedures, medicines). Healthcare resource utilization was obtained from literature and clinical experts, and the valuation was performed using official tariffs. The study was conducted using a prevalent-based approach to quantify the economic burden of the diseases at a specific point in time. We estimated costs per patient for one year and subsequently for the prevalent cohort of the individuals with the condition. Indirect costs considered in this analysis include loss of productivity for patients and caregivers and out-of-pocket expenses. Costs were calculated in 2021 euros (€) (1€ = $4,425 COP).

RESULTS: The nAMD-related theoretical direct costs were €202 million, with an average per capita cost of €6,870 in 2021. Of these costs, 88% were attributed to medicines. Indirect costs potentially attributed to nAMD in Colombia were estimated at €13 million. The DME-related annual direct costs were €780 million, with a per capita cost of €5,134 in 2021. Medicines accounted for 73% of the total direct costs. We estimated the indirect costs related to DME at just over €87 million. In both diseases, the loss of productivity of the patient represents more than 80% of the indirect costs, driven by the reduced employability rate of these patients due to the development of sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS: nAMD and DME have a high economic burden on the health care system and a high social impact, mainly because of the lack of access to the labour market for patients with severe impairment or blindness. These diseases should be prioritized and intervened to delay deterioration.