While those of us who wear glasses or contacts are used to budgeting for eye exams and other vision-related purchases, many patients are surprised at the cost of prescription eye drops.
Optometrists prescribe eye drops for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common treatments include:
In 2016, drug companies brought in about $3.4 billion in the U.S. on eye drops for dry eyes and glaucoma, according to the research firm Market Scope. There has been debate for years about the way these medications are manufactured and delivered and research into ways to save consumers money by using smaller drops or specially designed bottles to reduce waste.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear answer as to why prescription eye drops are so expensive, and until there are significant changes in the market, patients are stuck doing their best to afford the important treatments they need to maintain their vision.
If you receive sticker shock when paying for your eye medication at the pharmacy, rest assured that you have options. There are a variety of ways to save money on Rx eye drops:
Here is a look at the average savings patients receive on their eye drops when using a FamilyWize discount card .
Drug Full Name |
Brand Name |
Avg. FamilyWize Savings % |
PrednisoLONE Acetate Suspension 1 % |
Omnipred Suspension 1 % |
56% |
Latanoprost Solution 0.005 % |
Xalatan Solution 0.005 % |
60% |
Erythromycin Ointment 5 MG/GM |
18% |
|
Polymyxin B-Trimethoprim Solution 10000-0.1 UNIT/ML-% |
Polytrim Solution 10000-0.1 UNIT/ML-% |
34% |
Ofloxacin Solution 0.3 % |
Ocuflox Solution 0.3 % |
72% |
Timolol Maleate Solution 0.5 % |
Timoptic Ocudose Solution 0.5 % |
51% |
Neomycin-Polymyxin-Dexameth Suspension 3.5-10000-0.1 |
Maxitrol Suspension 3.5-10000-0.1 |
8% |
Tobramycin Solution 0.3 % |
Tobrex Solution 0.3 % |
63% |
Ciprofloxacin HCl Solution 0.3 % |
Ciloxan Solution 0.3 % |
70% |
Tobramycin-Dexamethasone Suspension 0.3-0.1 % |
TobraDex Suspension 0.3-0.1 % |
64% |
If your optometrist hands you a prescription, don’t panic. There is help available to make your prescription eye drops more affordable.
Sources:
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