Glaucoma medical treatment--2002: does yearly cost now equal the year?
BACKGROUND
To review costs of the wide array of glaucoma medications available today as well as patient-assistance programs.


METHODS
Potential yearly costs for current frequently used single and multiple drug therapies were determined, taking into account the actual (not labeled) volume of drops in the bottled medications. Alternative modes for obtaining medications, such as compassionate-use programs, were also surveyed.


RESULTS
"Maximum" medical therapy may cost over $2000 per year. Allergan, Ciba, Merck, Pharmacia-Upjohn, and Alcon offer patient-assistance programs of variable simplicity of use.


CONCLUSIONS
The cost of maximum glaucoma medical therapy can assume a significant proportion of an elderly patient's yearly income.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, USA.
J William
JW
Doyle
M Fran
MF
Smith
John W
JW
Tierney
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016527:Drug Costs; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000191:economics; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions