Factors Associated with Out-of-Pocket Payments for Refractive Surgery in Tehran, Iran
Journal of Ophthalmic and Optometric Sciences,
Vol. 9 No. 2 (2025),
5 April 2025
,
Page 1-9
https://doi.org/10.22037/joos.v9i2.50687
Abstract
Purpose: Out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses are a major factor influencing patients’ decisions to undergo refractive eye surgery. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with OOP payments for refractive surgery in selected medical centers in Tehran, Iran.
Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 200 adults undergoing refractive surgery (LASIK, LASEK, or PRK) were recruited through cluster sampling from state and private hospitals in Tehran Surgery Centers in 2025. Data were collected using a contingent valuation questionnaire to estimate patients’ maximum OOP payments. Factors influencing OOP costs were analyzed using ANOVA and independent t-tests.
Results: The mean OOP payments were 9,826,531 Rials (US$106) in state teaching hospitals, 26,387,097 Rials (US$284) in state non-teaching hospitals, and 74,380,282 Rials (US$800) in private hospitals. OOP costs were significantly associated with hospital type, age, marital status, length of hospitalization, type of insurance and supplementary insurance (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: OOP expenses for refractive surgery were substantially lower in governmental hospitals compared to private hospitals. Introducing multi-tiered insurance packages tailored to patient characteristics could improve access and reduce the financial burden of refractive surgery.
- Refractive Surgery
- Out-of-pocket Sayments
- Hospitals
- Health Economics
- Iran
How to Cite
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