For most people, the process of aging takes a toll on eyesight. Blurred vision, floaters (deposits of various size, shape, and even consistency within the clear gel that fills the space between the eye’s lens and retina), cataract, and glaucoma, to name just a few, are some of the most common eye issues associated with aging.

Moreover, many find that as their vision gets worse, it becomes much harder to read small print, such as that commonly found on a medication label.  This, unfortunately, can lead to mistakes with medication, and it can also result in additional health issues.  A recent article in Medicines Talk (an NPS publication from Australia) provides some useful tips for identifying and storing medication and making sure you have the correct information.

According to Dr. Lynn Weekes, NPS CEO: “Vision deterioration can occur slowly, so its immediate effects on everyday life may not be evident. Blurred or impaired vision can however make it difficult to identify medicines and read small print so it’s important people know how to manage their medicines safely.”

Some other useful tips to avoid any mistakes include storing your medication in a location with adequate lighting, and maybe even using a magnifying glass to read the labels. Furthermore, keeping your medications organized is also helpful (perhaps even using a color-coding system).

Patients should always consult with their pharmacist or doctor if they have any questions about medications. It also does not hurt to always use the same brand of medication (keeping the size and shape of the pill consistent). Medication organizers are also an option, providing information on the proper dosage for each day of the week.

Dr. Weekes added: “If you have trouble reading medicine labels, ask your pharmacist about a blister pack medication [organizer]. These are weekly medication [organizers] prepared by your pharmacist and store each dose of your medicines in an individual blister or bubble. There is usually a small charge but they are useful for people who are struggling to manage their medicines.”