The prevalence and medical costs of neovascular glaucoma in a tertiary medical center in China from 2016 to 2024.

INTRODUCTION

Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a severe, vision-threatening secondary glaucoma. With a higher incidence and earlier onset of its primary diseases, NVG may increase the healthcare burden. This study investigate the demographic characteristics and medical costs of NVG in a tertiary medical center in China.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients diagnosed with NVG, angle neovascularization, or rubeosis iridis at Peking University Third Hospital from January 2016 to December 2024. Data collected included demographics (gender, age, diagnosis, and etiology), treatment (conservative or surgical treatment), number of visits, and medical costs.

RESULTS

A total of 1,275 patients were included, with a mean age of 59.9 ± 16.3 years (range 2-98). 64.5% of patients were aged 45 - 75 years. Male patients predominated (828 vs. 447, ratio 1.9:1) and had an earlier age of onset than females (56.6 ± 16.1 years vs. 62.3 ± 14.8 years; p < 0.001). Diabetic retinopathy (DR) was the most common cause (758 cases, 59.5%), followed by retinal vein occlusion (186 cases, 14.6%). Treatments included conservative (819 cases) and surgical (457 cases) approaches. Patients used an average of 2.4 ± 0.4 antiglaucoma medications (range 2-6). Surgical interventions included vitrectomy and antiglaucoma surgery. The number of visits ranged from 1 to 210 times, with a median of 2 (IQR 1-7). 1053 patients (82.5%) had 1-10 visits. Median treatment duration was 49.8 days (IQR 10.7-190.0). The highest per-outpatient costs were in the 45-75 age group (400.1 ± 376.1 yuan), while the highest per-surgical costs were in the 18-45 age group (9379.3 ± 10543.6 yuan).

DISCUSSION: NVG requires increased attention to the risk of DR in middle-aged and older men. Developing age-specific strategies for allocating outpatient and surgical resources is essential to reduce the economic burden of NVG across different age groups.