Citation

Labreche T, Nandakumar K, Althomali M, Leat SJ. Age Ageing 2018; 47(3): 444-450.

Affiliation

Waterloo Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/ageing/afx202

PMID

29385405

Abstract

PURPOSE: visual impairment is associated with an increased risk of falls, yet eye care professionals are infrequently members of falls prevention clinics. The aim of this preliminary study was to validate a newly created Visual Impairment as a Risk for Falls Questionnaire intended to be used by those professionals not involved in eye care.

METHODS: about 53 participants with various visual impairments known to be associated with falls and 33 participants with normal sight were contacted within 4 months of a full oculo-visual assessment and were asked the questions from the current questionnaire pertaining to their visual function. A retrospective file review was undertaken and the sensitivity and specificity of participants' responses were calculated compared to the actual vision impairment based on the findings from their visual assessment.

RESULTS: the question regarding ability to read was included to identify people with central vision loss, a risk factor for falling. It was found to have sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 87%. Both sensitivity and specificity improved when participants with cognitive impairment were excluded. The question on recognising facial features gave sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 97% for this subgroup. However, questions related to impairments in stereopsis and peripheral fields were not useful.

CONCLUSION: the study demonstrates that several questions of the new questionnaire are useful; however, further testing with a larger population is needed to fully validate the questionnaire for use by health care professionals.

Language: en

Keywords

fall prevention questionnaire; falls; low vision; older people; screening