Citation

Patino CM, McKean-Cowdin R, Azen SP, Allison JC, Choudhury F, Varma R. Ophthalmology 2010; 117(2): 199-206.e1.

Affiliation

Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ophtha.2009.06.063

PMID

20031225

PMCID

PMC2819614

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether central (CVI) and peripheral visual impairment (PVI) are independent risk factors for falls and falls with injury 4 years later. DESIGN: Population-based, prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: A population-based sample of 3203 adult Latinos. METHODS: Baseline presenting binocular central distance acuity was measured and impairment was classified as mild (20/40-20/63) or moderate/severe (/=60 years of age, be female, report lower income, have >2 comorbidities, report alcohol use, report wearing bifocal glasses, and report obesity. Among those who reported falls, 7% had CVI and 49% had PVI, compared with the 4% and 39% of those with CVI and PVI, respectively, who did not report falls. After adjusting for confounders, moderate to severe CVI and PVI were associated with increased risk for falls (odds ratio [OR], 2.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-5.45; P(trend) = 0.04; and OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.06-1.91l P(trend) = 0.01, respectively) and with falls with injury (OR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.10-7.02; P(value) = 0.03; and OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 0.94-2.05 P(trend) = 0.04, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Both CVI and PVI were independently associated with increased risk for falls and falls with injury 4 years after the initial examination in a dose-response manner. Although vision-related interventions for preventing falls have mainly focused on correcting CVI, this study suggests that targeting both central and peripheral components may be necessary to effectively reduce rates of falls and falls with injury related to vision loss. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any of the materials discussed in this article.

Language: en