Pharmacists should routinely ask older patients if their vision is affecting their medicines use to help tackle "a rising tide of need for help in medication self-management".  .

The study, published in British Journal of General Practice, looked at 156 patients over the age of 65 and found that most older people with poor eyesight had problems reading their medication, despite using optical aids. A quarter of patients with visual impairment had problems distinguishing between different coloured tablets, while almost half of all patient groups had difficulty opening their medications, particularly blister packs.

Research found that most older people with poor eyesight had problems reading their medication, despite using optical aids

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The lack of standardisation across pharmaceutical packaging could "cause confusion" among patients, with some using "coping strategies" such as memorising medications by touch and shape, the report authors warned. However, these strategies were "upset" when tablets or packaging were changed, for example because of generic prescription, the authors warned. "Greater efforts should be made to engage with patients to determine cost-effective ways of minimising problems due to generic preparations," the report said.

The report called on healthcare professionals to "ask patients about their vision and check they have sufficient support in managing medication."

Patients "mostly relied on informal social and family networks for help in managing their medication", but as society aged and visual impairment increased these sources may be unable to meet their needs, warned the study's authors from Queen's University Belfast.

The news follows a C+D report last week that found a pharmacy in Callandar, Scotland had boosted compliance in patients with poor eyesight  involved in a ‘talking labels' pilot scheme.