In recent decades, the ageing population has taken centre stage in defining the new needs of the pharmaceutical industry. According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2050 the number of people over the age of 60 will exceed two billion, up from 900 million in 2015. This demographic change has significant implications, especially with regard to ophthalmic diseases. Age-related eye diseases, such as cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, are steadily increasing, which has led to a growing demand for specific drugs and packaging solutions that facilitate their intake. Adding to this is the frailty of older adults, who require extra care.
The need for ophthalmic packaging arises
The eye is one of the most sensitive parts of the human body, and with advancing age this fragility increases exponentially. Diseases such as dry eye syndrome and cataracts require frequent ophthalmic treatments, which can be complicated for older people to manage. One of the main obstacles for this population group is the difficulty in self-medication: the reduced ability to clearly see the instructions on the medication, the lack of strength in the hands to squeeze bottles or tubes, and, in general, the lack of precision in dosing ophthalmic medicines, whether gels, ointments or drops.
This is where the fundamental role of pharmaceutical packaging comes into play. Aluminium ophthalmic tubes are increasingly regarded as one of the best solutions to meet the medical pharmaceutical needs of the elderly. Thanks to their lightness, strength and ability to preserve the contents from air and light, Aluminium ophthalmic packaging tubes offer a safe and convenient user experience. Aluminium tubes are easy to handle even for those with an inexperienced or unsteady hand. Moreover, thanks to the collapsible characteristics of this material, it is easy to realise how much product remains inside.
The Aluminium ophthalmic tube therefore offers dual protection: both for the product it contains and for the end user. The intrinsic properties of this material make it an effective barrier against exposure to light, air and moisture: factors that can compromise the quality and efficacy of the medicine. At the same time, it reduces the risk of contamination. In addition, the Aluminium tube is anti-waste: it squeezes out every last drop and allows easy and complete dispensing of the contained product thanks to its collapsible nature, without breaking.
This combination of safety and user-friendliness becomes particularly crucial for elderly people, who need easier and safer management of their ophthalmic treatments.
Ophthalmic packaging: Tubettificio Perfektüp’s exclusive solution
Tubettificio Perfektüp has an improved solution. We are talking about the Aluminium tube with a soft nozzle , a packaging designed to facilitate the application of medication in the periocular area, offering more comfort and safety than traditional hard nozzles. Often, in fact, contact with a hard nozzle, no matter how certified and safe it may be, can generate anxiety and discomfort, especially in the elderly who may have motor difficulties, vision problems and increased sensitivity.
Our soft nozzle, made of thermoplastic elastomer, bends gently on contact with the skin, reducing the risk of accidental injury during use. This makes it particularly suitable for those who need to self-medicate or are assisted by a caregiver. In addition, the nozzle can be customised in different colors for easy identification, which is useful in complex multi-drug treatments. A flexible and safe solution, ideal for more delicate consumers such as the elderly.
A PET anti-tampering guarantee seal provides an additional level of security, ensuring product integrity and deterring counterfeiting.
Ophthalmic packaging can also be a marketing choice
Packaging is playing an increasingly central role in the purchasing phase, especially in the ophthalmic pharmaceutical sector, because it goes beyond the simple function of a container: good packaging facilitates everyday use, especially for the elderly or those with mobility difficulties. An intuitive and safe design, such as that offered by Aluminium ophthalmic tubes, enhances the patient experience and increases confidence in the product. This makes packaging a decisive element that can positively influence consumer choice.
Evolution of ophthalmic packaging
Long gone are the years when ophthalmic medicines were even packaged in glass bottles! The evolution of solutions adopted decade after decade has increasingly focused on the needs of end users and has contributed to the growth, including commercial growth, of a sector that is essential to the health sector.
A recent analysis for the pharmaceutical industry reveals that the global ophthalmic drug packaging market has grown significantly in recent years, with an estimated annual growth rate of 8.2% over the period 2024-2030. This growth is closely linked to the prevalence of age-related eye diseases and the growing demand for innovative packaging solutions. Aluminium ophthalmic tubes, for example, are gaining ground precisely because they respond to specific needs such as ease of use, drug protection and sustainability.
Aluminium tubes Perfektüp: a trusted packaging solution
The ageing of the world’s population poses increasingly complex challenges to the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the area of medication and eye care. Choosing the right packaging can make a difference in the daily lives of elderly people, not only improving their ability to self-manage their treatment, but also ensuring greater safety and sustainability. Aluminium ophthalmic tubes from Perfektüp represent an innovative and versatile solution, a guarantee of safety that meets the needs of an ever-changing market.
