Economic Cost of Vision Loss for Inclusive Development: The Direct and Indirect Perspectives

The study assesses the direct and indirect economic burden arising from cataract-related blindness in Borno State. A survey method using a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was conducted to collect data, and a cluster random sampling technique was employed to select 1161 cataract vision-impaired patients. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the data analysis. The results revealed that all indicators of direct economic burden (amount incurred for diagnoses/laboratory tests, monthly expenditure on treatment/drug, amount spent on cataract surgery, as well as the amount spent per month on transportation to the hospital) and indirect productivity cost (frequency of hospital visits for follow-ups, man hour(s) loss in each visit to see the eye Doctor, the cataract vision impairment hindered their ability to participate in the labour force, and other intangible costs associated with the cataract vision impairment) arising from cataract vision impairment were significantly associated with the number of years with impairment. The implication of this finding is that the productivity and income of the surveyed participants are affected by the economic burden arising from cataract vision impairment. The results provide a compelling case for policymakers, healthcare providers, and development stakeholders to prioritize cataract prevention and treatment as a critical component of public health strategies in Borno State. By integrating the economic perspective into healthcare planning, stakeholders can design sustainable, targeted interventions that not only restore vision but also enhance economic productivity and reduce the cycle of poverty.