Researchers in a recent study discovered that only 1.6% of uveitis patients in an indigent population received intravitreal implants, indicating potential financial barriers to advanced treatments.
Published in BMC Ophthalmology, the study analyzed demographics and treatment patterns of uveitis patients at Drexel Eye Physicians, serving an indigent population. The retrospective review included 270 patients (366 eyes) from 2011 to 2014, examining demographic data, uveitis location, systemic disease associations, treatments, and insurance coverage.
The most common ethnic group (67%, n=181) was African American, with 80% relying on Medicare or Medicaid. Most eyes (95.3%, n=349) were treated with topical corticosteroid drops; only 1.6% (n=6) received intravitreal implants. Immunosuppressive medications were initiated in 8.9% (n=24) of patients.
No significant association was found between insurance type and the use of biologics (P=0.58) or difluprednate (P=0.84), indicating cost did not heavily influence these prescribing patterns. However, the low rate of intravitreal implant prescriptions highlights potential financial barriers to more expensive treatments.
Researchers noted that future research should investigate home medication adherence and develop strategies to reduce health care costs.
The authors declare no competing interests.