Glaucoma is progressive and currently has no cure. The strict, daily medication regimen commonly used to manage the disease can easily become a financial burden to many patients. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to ease that burden. Yvonne Ou, MD, of the

University of California, San Francisco, UCSF Medical Center provides some helpful tips to help you lower your glaucoma medication costs.

• Speak with your ophthalmologist. Your doctor is the first resource to access if you’re looking to lower your medication costs and advise you regarding:
  • The differences between brand name and generic versions of your medication,
  • Alternative therapies that are less expensive in the long run, and 
  • Various procedures, including surgery, that can reduce or eliminate your need for ongoing medication use. 

They may also be able to recommend local or online pharmacies whose prices are reasonable or who offer membership or other money-saving programs. 

• Consider generic vs. brand-name eye drops. Generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name versions and are equivalent in safety, strength, and dosage. They typically cost far less than brand-name medications, though the recent shortages in glaucoma medication have resulted in price increases. 
• Look for the best deal. Medication costs can vary wildly depending on the city, the day, and the pharmacy. Independent pharmacies tend to charge less than large chains, and websites such as GoodRx, WeRx, and BlinkHealth allow you to compare prices among pharmacies in your area. 
• Speak with your pharmacist. When picking up a prescription, ask your pharmacist for ways to lower your drug costs. Most pharmacies stay up-to-date on available discount programs and can also tell you if your copay is more or less expensive than paying for the drug directly. 
• Separate your combination eye drops. Combination drops containing two medications are often more expensive than the two separate medications. This creates a bit more work for you when it comes to applying your eye drops, but it could save you considerable money. Speak with your doctor about separating your combo drops. 
• Consider alternative sources. Some medications are available from other countries such as Canada, and many are available online. The FDA provides guidelines to help you identify reputable online pharmacies, and PharmacyChecker.com enables you to search online for the best prices.
• Bundle your medication supply. A 90-day supply of medication can be less expensive than three 30-day supplies across three months. Speak with your doctor and pharmacy about the possibility of paying less up front for an extended supply.
  
• Explore BenefitsCheckup.org. This website, hosted by the National Council on Aging, is a helpful resource for finding benefits and assistance in your area concerning:
  • Healthcare and medication
  • Food and nutrition
  • Housing and utilities
  • Employment and income
  • Tax relief
  • Veteran support

Other nonprofit resources concerning medication assistance programs include Needy Meds, Partnership for Prescription Assistance, RxAssist, RxHope, and RxOutreach. On the government side, you can visit the Medicare website to seek out programs for which you may be eligible. 

*Ou, Y. Top 10 Tips for Reducing the Costs of your Glaucoma Medications. (2019, Mar. 13). BrightFocus Foundation. https://www.brightfocus.org/glaucoma/article/top-10-tips-reducing-costs-your-glaucoma-medications