Analysis of Eye Health in the Thai Population
Yosanan Yospaiboon MD*, Kasem Yospaiboon MD*, Tanapat Ratanapakorn MD*, Suthasinee Sinawat MD*, Thuss Sanguansak MD*, Chavakij Bhoomibunchoo MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Objective : To assess national eye health as a baseline for improving medical education, services and research.
Material and Method: Information on eye illness among out- and in-patients was based on hospital claims from the three
national health insurance schemes in 2010. The data were analyzed by age groups.
Results : In 2010, 4,982,025 out-patient visits and 187,080 in-patient admissions were reported. The five most common out-
patient eye conditions were disorders of the (1) conjunctiva (H10-H13) (2) eyelid, lacrimal system and orbit (H00-H06) (3)
lens (H25-28) (4) sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body (H15-H22) and (5) glaucoma (H40-H42). The five most common in-
patient eye diseases were (1) disorders of lens (H25-H28) (2) conjunctiva (H10-H13) (3) sclera, cornea, iris and ciliary body
(H15-H22) (4) choroid and retina (H30-H35) and (5) glaucoma (H40-H42).
Conclusion : Information on the most frequent eye diseases-including the types and frequency of high risk conditions, the
diseases causing the most impact on vision and resulting in the highest health expenditures-will be used to (a) revise the
curricula for medical education (b) to improve eye care services and (c) to improve access to data for research themes
tailored to local and national needs.
Keywords : Eye health, Burden of diseases, Medical curricula, Medical personnel
