Unlocking Vision Care Accessibility: Evaluating Caregivers' Willingness to Pay in Specialised Eye Clinics for Family Members With Intellectual Disabilities.

Abstract

Background: People with intellectual disabilities (IDs) require more vision care but encounter considerable challenges during eye examinations. Specialised clinics established specifically for people with IDs are generally limited. This study aims to evaluate primary family caregivers' willingness to pay (WTP) for specialised ophthalmology services designed for people with IDs.

Methods: Between 15 August and 5 October 2023, we conducted a face-to-face survey targeting primary family caregivers of people with IDs in two local authorities in Taiwan. We obtained a probability sample through stratified random sampling. A total of 657 family caregivers completed this survey, with a response rate of 82.6%. WTP was evaluated using a contingent valuation method in a hypothetical ophthalmology clinic conceptualised through a qualitative study. Two-part models were estimated.

Results: The WTP for specialised ophthalmology services designed for people with IDs varied from NT$96.9 (US$3.2) to NT$217.7 (US$7.3) for the lowest-income group (p < 0.001) and from NT$513.0 (US$17.1) to NT$648.6 (US$21.6) for the highest-income group (p < 0.001). Factors such as family income, self-reported financial satisfaction and concern for the ocular health of family members with IDs significantly influenced WTP.

Conclusions: Caregivers' WTP is low relative to the minimum operational costs of specialised ophthalmology clinics within the Taiwanese National Health Insurance scheme. This finding highlights the need for public funding to support such clinics and ensure that they can address the vision health disparity observed between people with and without IDs.