Monday Musings on Being Prepared And MIEBO Drops Update
I spoke too quickly about spring being here and managed to bring back the cold and rain. My grandson had a baseball scrimmage Saturday night, and I assumed I would be warm enough with socks and a cozy sweatshirt jacket.
Being Prepared
It quickly became clear that I was seriously underdressed. Luckily, I’d tossed my parka in the car on the advice of my grandson, and I was thrilled to discover I’d left gloves in one pocket and a hat in the other.
You can’t see my teeth chattering in this glamorous photo, but I did freeze my tail feathers off. The temps were only in the low 50s, but the wind was howling which made it feel so much colder. I finally resorted to sitting in the car for the last 20 minutes of the game. I’ll be more prepared next time.
Miebo Drop Update and Buying It For Less
I’ll apologize in advance for this, but the more I dug into this issue, the angrier I became.
Last week, I shared my struggle with dry eyes and the absurdly high price of the Miebo Eye Drops I was prescribed by my physician. Many of you shared your own struggles with DED(dry eye disease), and what you’re using. Several readers came to my rescue and let me know that the exact same formula has been sold over the counter for years at a fraction of the cost…so I began researching it.
In a 2023 news release, Bausch + Lomb Corp announced the commercial launch of their single ingredient, perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution, as the first and only prescription eye drop approved for DED that directly targets tear evaporation. That statement is true at face value but rather misleading.
According to Ophthalmology Times Europe, Miebo is a brand name for perfluorohexyloctane, which is also sold under the brand names EvoTears and Novatears in other countries. Novatears have been available without a prescription in Australia and New Zealand since 2013. EvoTears has been available over the counter in Europe since 2015. You may be able to Google and find them from a company that will deliver to the US.
Without insurance, Miebo is in the $925.00 range for 3ml in the USA, which is a one-month supply. With my co-pay, it’ll cost me $411.00. I’m annoyed that it’s taken the FDA over 12 years to approve this medication. With over 38 million Americans struggling with dry eyes, it should not have taken them this long to approve it. And why are they allowing Bauch+Lomb to charge us and our health insurance companies such an exorbitant price?
Currently Reading/Listening
I’ve been listening to Courtenay Carver’s latest book, Gentle. The premise is quite simple. It’s about taking better care of ourselves and prioritizing self-care. I can never hear these messages too often, and I’m really enjoying it.
Outfit of the Week
This week’s outfit of the week is a classic as it gets with a cropped trench coat, cashmere polo sweater, 4 season stretch pants, cap toe flats, a camel saddle bag, some hammered gold hoops, and a brightly colored bandana.
Travel Plans
My husband and I have been discussing where we’d like to travel to this year. We’ve been trying to have an out-of-the-ordinary adventure each year because if not now, when? We’ve tossed the African Safari idea around, as well as a tour of Southeast Asia.
I had to buy tons of things for our trip to Svalbard and the Arctic Cruise last May, which was amazing! Where are you traveling this year? Are you needing to buy special clothes for your trip?
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident and brings you joy!
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Jennifer,
Your rant is understandable. I hope the advice is helpful for you. My eye doctor is starting to push for prescription drops but I’m trying to hold her off until next year.
The book you’ve posted interests me. I’ll try to find it at the library first.
Always have a good take-away from your sharing.
Thanks,
Lisa 🌹
Hi: I’m in Canada and my opthamologist recommended De3 for dry eyes. Three pills a day. Cost about $100.00 for one month. And I have three friends who have also been recommended by different opticians and opthamologist.
I will check it out, thanks!
We are traveling to Iceland in June and I’ve had to purchase some gear. I told my husband we better plan Alaska next to get use out of all our warm clothes, lol. I live in Northeast Ohio, with the winter we are having maybe Alaska won’t be necessary.
We loved Iceland! Such a magical place and so unique.
Thanks for the dry eye information I will be sending this to my sister
Spring sports! Living in New England I learned to keep a large box/suitcase in the car at all times: parka, hat, gloves, sunscreen, blanket, warm water/Snow proof boots, sun hat, umbrella, rain jacket, wind jacket, bug spray. It will snowy and 30 degrees, hot and humid and in the 80, constant drizzle – not quite rain in the 50s or 70s, wind at any temperature. This year I purchased rechargeable handwarmers from Amazon – wonderful!! Week to week it is an adventure!
You are a smart cookie!
Hi Jennifer, I feel your pain about DED. I am not quite there, but I use non-prescription eye drops and a sleep mask, because my eyelids aren’t completely closed when I sleep and my eyes dry out overnight. So frustrating!
I highly recommend an African safari. In November 2023, we traveled with Globus in South Africa, Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls), and Botswana. We did several safari trips. It was fantastic! My husband and I are bird enthusiasts and love wildlife, so it was right up our alley. But the beautiful and rugged landscape, sunrises and sunsets, wildlife, and different cultures all combined for a great trip. I have to say that Botswana was the most amazing – we were in Chobe National Park, which touches 3 countries and has no fences – migrating elephants, antelope, and other animals were present in large numbers.
Thank you so much for sharing your safari experience. It sounds amazing!!
come visit Australia and be amazed! Robyn Australia
Jennifer, I’ve been in your situation attending a game for a grandchild and being underdressed. I truly wasn’t prepared as I didn’t have a parka in my trunk but I did have a blanket. Thank goodness. Thanks for ranting. We sometimes need to do it. Enjoy your blog. Mary M.
The way we are treated by pharmaceutical companies is just so infuriating! I saw a piece on a show that the only change they made to renew their patent on a drug was a minute redesign of the cap attachment so it was easier to keep from falling off. It had nothing to do with the drug, but they got their patent renewed. Grrr!!
As to getting warmed up, the advice I was once given if you become really chilled was to change your clothes. It works quicker than putting on more layers which seems to trap that cold air next to your body. Of course you’re not always in a place where you can dash home to do that, but it does seem to work.
That is criminal! Our pharmaceutical system is broken.
You may also want a cushion to sit on and a warm throw over your legs. After the sun goes down it can get really cold especially if windy. So sorry you got a chill. It drops your immune system so you are more likely to catch the virus going around. Cozy up with warm teas and your book. Maybe work on your knitting while you listen.
I’m appalled at the rip off prices for those eyedrops!!! I’m sure the European version will go up with the tariffs. Those drops are not within reach for those of us without drug insurance and retired. I wouldn’t want Medicare to be ripped off either. I take only generic medicines and only three. I use OTC eye drops for my dry eyes.
We are 80 and 83 and have no desire for the process of traveling anymore. But I always wanted to go to New Zealand. I’m a Lord of the Rings fan.
In June, we are doing a Rhine river cruise ending w days in Lucerne, then on to Venice, wrapping up in Florence for my niece’s destination black tie wedding.
Already worrying about what to wear & shopping… I hate heat & have sweltered in Europe before in the summer.
NOT planning to worry about packing light! I am worried about wrinkled linen!
My planned “souvenirs” are a gold coin pendant & an Italian “leather good”……
Any suggestions appreciated!!
What an amazing soundong trip! You may prefer bamboo, rayon, and cotton over linen. I always take linen and just ignore the wrinkles if it’s beastly hot.
You will treasure a safari in Africa. My husband and I spent two weeks in South Africa. A week was spent in Kruger National Park. We had a private Land Rover for traveling throughout the park, staying in rondavels at night. It was glorious. We saw the Big Five and so much more. It was definitely a trip of a lifetime.
That sounds so fabulous!
The drug companies hold on to their patents for so long so generics can’t be made. I use a asthma med that didn’t become generic for 25 years, now with my co-pay its 10.00.
Hi Jennifer. Thanks for sharing so much information on your journey with dry eye. I’m going to research your latest findings. Couple things… my first order of Miebo this year will be expensive like yours because of my Medicare supplement deductible and then I will pay the $100 co-pay after. As far as the drops coming out too fast and too much… make sure to follow the instructions with the packaging to press in the bottle, let out, and the put the drop in the eye to only release one drop. And lastly, I find that I don’t need it 4 times a day, in order to conserve it since it is expensive. I also wanted to ask you if you have heard of the new Bausch and Lomb brand “Blink” dry eye OTC supplements. I think it has taken awhile but they are helping a bit. Again, thanks for your insight!
I haven’t tried their vitamins, but I do take the equivalent on my own. Theirs may be simpler
My optometrist wanted me to use Miebo. The company she sent my prescription to would give you the first bottle for free and from them on it would be $800.00. I have Medicare and it doesn’t cover Miebo. I will order from the company you suggested. I have started taking the Blink vitamins for dry eyes. I have been taking eye vitamins for years as directed by my optometrist. At first I bought them from her at a $100.00 a bottle but I changed to PreserVision because it was cheaper and the same ingredients. I can’t believe all the comercials for Miebo!
B+L is making a fortune on Miebo.
Thank you for the dry eye information this morning. Our daughter was just prescribed a very expensive product for dry eye which her insurance won’t cover. I am forwarding your article and this may help her! Very timely information!
Suzie Kiddoo
I hope it helps her