Economic Burden in Retinal Vascular Diseases

In this episode, “Economic Burden in Retinal Vascular Diseases,” the panelists explore the financial and healthcare system challenges associated with managing retinal vascular diseases such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). The expert faculty discuss how anti-VEGF therapy costs extend beyond drug acquisition alone and include repeated office visits, imaging requirements, treatment administration, and long-term disease management.

The panel highlights the substantial financial burden experienced by patients and caregivers, particularly within Medicare Part B, where coinsurance obligations for branded anti-VEGF therapies may create significant out-of-pocket costs. The discussion also addresses how bilateral disease and repeated injections throughout the year can further compound financial strain for patients and families. In addition, the expert faculty examine how transportation barriers, caregiver responsibilities, missed work, and declining visual function contribute to the broader indirect costs associated with retinal vascular diseases.

A key focus of the discussion centers on how affordability challenges may directly influence real-world treatment patterns. The panel reviews insights from real-world analyses evaluating the impact of copay assistance program disruptions, highlighting how reduced financial support may lead to longer treatment intervals, therapy switching, and interruptions in care. The expert faculty emphasize that financial toxicity is not simply an economic issue, but a major factor influencing treatment adherence, persistence, and long-term visual outcomes. Throughout the episode, the panel underscores the importance of considering both healthcare system costs and patient-level burdens when evaluating anti-VEGF therapy utilization and access in retinal vascular diseases.

The next episode in this series, “Treatment Frequency in Retinal Vascular Diseases,” features the panelists discussing how injection frequency, treatment durability, and therapy selection influence total cost of care and long-term disease management. The expert faculty also highlight how access restrictions, copay burden, and individualized treatment needs may impact visual outcomes and healthcare resource utilization in retinal vascular diseases.