Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: The Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) has recently shown that a combination of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc can reduce the risk of progression of age related macular degeneration. Several companies have manufactured over–the–counter tablets that contain AREDS formula vitamins/minerals. We have compared the cost of purchasing individual vitamin and minerals versus the manufactured preparations of the AREDS formula. We have also compared the average number of individual vitamin tabs required to yield AREDS recommended doses. Methods: We contacted 5 different national chain stores in two different major cities in Texas to compare the prices of four different brands of individual vitamin combinations with 6 brands of vitamin supplements manufactured with the AREDS formula (Ocuvite (Bausch and Lomb Inc.), ICaps (Alcon laboratories Inc.), Equate ProtectaVision (Wal Mart Stores Inc.), Ocutabs (Walgreens Stores Inc.), Vision Health Formula (Target Corp.), and Vuemax Intensive (Rexall Inc.)). Dosage amounts of the individual vitamins were determined and the average monthly cost was calculated based on the number of tabs taken per day and the average cost per tab. This value was compared to the average monthly cost of the AREDS formula tabs. Results: Purchasing individual vitamins to meet the AREDS formula was on average more cost–effective ($10.97) then the average monthly cost of the AREDS formula tabs ($11.59). Two of the AREDS formula tabs, however, had the lowest average monthly cost of $7.48 and $7.49 (Vuemax Intensive and Vision Health Formula). The cheapest combination of individual vitamins was a generic thrift store brand costing $7.87 per month. The most expensive form of vitamin supplementation was the Ocuvite and ICaps tabs, with an average monthly cost of $16.48 and $16.23 respectively. On average, 8 total tabs of individual vitamins were required to meet the AREDS formula, while only 4 daily tabs were required for the AREDS formula tabs. The Vuemax Intensive required only 2 tabs per day. Conclusions: On average, individual vitamin supplements were less expensive than the average cost of the AREDS formula tabs. However, the required number of individual vitamin tabs was twice that of the AREDS tabs. Overall, the most cost–effective method of meeting the AREDS formula is using the Vision Health Formula, Vuemax Intensive, and the Equate Protecta Vision. The Vuemax Intensive tab also has the benefit of requiring only 2 tabs per day.
Keywords: age–related macular degeneration • antioxidants • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: health care delivery/economics/manpower