For the growing number of Americans diagnosed with glaucoma, eye drop medications are often the first line of treatment. Yet, the cost of glaucoma eye drops has risen in recent years, jeopardizing the health and vision of numerous patients. If you or a loved one have glaucoma, here are some sources of financial assistance, compiled by Prevent Blindness.*

Rising medication costs affect adherence

Recent research on glaucoma treatment costs has revealed some troubling trends. Investigators have found that when additional glaucoma eye drop medications were prescribed, benefits were shorter-lasting and costs increased with each added medication. On top of this, investigators have found that prices of brand-name glaucoma medications increased significantly in the U.S. over the past seven years. Costs of brand-name eye medications rose 59% from 2013-2019, with brand-name drugs costing anywhere from 13 to 162 times that of their generic counterparts.

Rising medication costs mean decreased medication adherence among patients. Research has shown that people abandon their medications at a rate of less than 5% when their prescription has no out-of-pocket fees. The rate spikes to 45% when patients have to pay more than $125 and to 60% when paying over $500. As patients are also faced with half of Medicare Part D costs outstripping inflation, many of them are now having to choose between medication and basic needs. About 50% of Americans aren’t taking their medications as prescribed.

Financial assistance for glaucoma patients

To relieve some of this economic burden on glaucoma patients, Prevent Blindness outlines a number of financial assistance programs (accurate as of December 2022).

Pharmaceutical company assistance programs

Pharma companies offer qualified U.S. patients assistance with medication costs. Eligibility requirements may vary and/or be subject to change. (Check the product packaging or do a quick Google search to confirm your eye drop manufacturer.) 

• AbbVie
• Alcon
• Allergan
• Bausch Health
• Merck
• Novartis
• Pfizer
• Sun Pharma
• Thea (844-202-5909)

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is another source of medication assistance.

The organization’s Glaucoma Program also provides a free glaucoma screening to eligible, uninsured people. The aim is to increase awareness in those at high risk for glaucoma. 

Medicare glaucoma benefits

At medicare.gov, you can find the latest information on enrollment and benefits, plus helpful tools. Medicare Part D covers prescription drug benefits, and help is available for prescription eye medication costs. This is an optional benefit you must enroll in to access. “Extra Help” for drug costs is also available to Medicare recipients who qualify (worth an estimated $5,000 annually).

Supplemental programs

Other programs that offer some financial assistance with glaucoma treatments include:

• American Glaucoma Society Cares for free glaucoma surgical care
• BenefitsCheckUp® for payment assistance with healthcare, medication, food, and more
• Blink Health for discounted prices on more than 15,000 medications
• GoodRX to be sure you’re paying the lowest price for your prescriptions
• NeedyMeds for information on medication assistance from drug manufacturers
• Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation for help with out-of-pocket medication costs, including assistance with Medicare’s Extra Help program
• RxHope for help in obtaining essential, otherwise unaffordable, medications
• Rx Outreach to access over 1,000 disease medications by mail order
• ScriptHero to find the cheapest prescription price at the most convenient pharmacy

For more information

A glaucoma information fact sheet from Prevent Blindness is available for download in English and Spanish. You can also visit their Vision Care Financial Assistance page.

*Prevent Blindness. (2022, December 20). Glaucoma Financial Assistance Information. https://preventblindness.org/glaucoma-financial-assistance-information