Economic Evaluation in Eye Care: The Missing Link in Pakistan’s Ophthalmic Strategy

Doi: 10.36351/pjo.v42i2.2414

Abstract

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is now the standard of care; however, it does not adequately address costs or the impact of interventions on patients’ quality of life. To bridge this gap, value-based medicine (VBM) has emerged as a complementary approach that integrates patient-centered outcomes with economic considerations. Within this framework, health economics provides a systematic method to evaluate the cost, efficiency, and overall value of healthcare by linking clinical outcomes with financial implications, quality of life, life expectancy, and return on investment.