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Comparison of name brand and store brand eye care products: an evaluation of pricing, consumer safety metrics, allergenic contents, and marketing claims

Eye volume 38, pages 1012–1013 (2024)Cite this article

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Recent eyedrop recalls underscore quality control issues in ocular products [1]. Considering the myriad of over-the-counter (OTC) eyedrops, gels, and ointments, patients often rely on ophthalmologists’ recommendations. However, given a lack of studies on pricing, safety, or allergenic contents, recommendations may rely on product popularity or manufacturer-provided samples and brochures. Name brand products (NBPs) may, therefore, be promoted over store brand alternatives (SBAs). This study compares pricing, safety metrics, allergens, and marketing claims for NBPs and SBAs.

We searched Amazon for top-selling NBPs (eyedrops, gels, and ointments) in the US (search dates: January-April 2023) and identified SBAs from Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Target, Amazon, Kroger, Rite Aid, Albertsons-Safeway, and Costco. Price-per-ounce, number of reviews, average ratings, ingredients, and marketing claims were recorded from Amazon and store websites. Allergens were identified using the American Contact Dermatitis Society and North American Contact Dermatitis Group databases. Recalls and Healthcare Professionals (HP)-reported adverse events (AEs) were extracted from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website and FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), respectively.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

    David N. Younessi & Timothy M. Janetos

  2. Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    John C. Lin

  3. Department of Dermatology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Sophia Neman

  4. Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Sophia Neman

  5. Department of Ophthalmology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA

    Sai S. Kurapati & Ingrid U. Scott

  6. Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA

    Ingrid U. Scott

Authors
  1. David N. Younessi
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  4. Sai S. Kurapati
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  5. Ingrid U. Scott
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  6. Timothy M. Janetos
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Contributions

All authors were responsible for conceptualization and research design; DNY, JCL, SN, and SSK were involved in data acquisition and research execution; DNY, JCL, and SN conducted the data analysis; all authors worked on data interpretation and manuscript preparation.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Timothy M. Janetos.

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Younessi, D.N., Lin, J.C., Neman, S. et al. Comparison of name brand and store brand eye care products: an evaluation of pricing, consumer safety metrics, allergenic contents, and marketing claims. Eye 38, 1012–1013 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-023-02787-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-023-02787-3

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