@article{ref1,
title="Rate of falls, fear of falling, and avoidance of activities at-risk for falls in older adults with glaucoma",
journal="American journal of ophthalmology",
year="2021",
author="Bhorade, Anjali M. and Perlmutter, Monica S. and Sabapathypillai, Sharon L. and Goel, Manik and Wilson, Brad and Gordon, Mae",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between glaucoma severity and rate of falls, fear of falling, and avoidance of activities at-risk for falls. <br><br>DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. <br><br>METHODS: Glaucoma patients (n=138), ages 55-90 years, with mild (n=61), moderate (n=54), and advanced (n=23) glaucoma in the better-eye based on the Glaucoma Staging System, and age-matched controls (n=50) were recruited from the Eye Clinics at Washington University, St. Louis, MO. Participants completed questionnaires regarding falls, fear of falling, and avoidance of activities at-risk for falls. <br><br>RESULTS: Of the glaucoma participants, 36% reported at least one fall in the prior 12 months compared to 20% of controls (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.7; 95% CI, 1.18-6.17; p=0.018). Compared to controls, the mild glaucoma group trended towards a higher fall risk (adjusted OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 0.97-6.08; p=0.059) and the advanced group had the highest fall risk (adjusted OR, 7.97; 95% CI, 2.44-26.07; p=0.001). A greater risk of a high fear of falling and high avoidance of at-risk activities occurred at the moderate stage of glaucoma compared to controls (adjusted OR, 4.66; 95% CI, 1.24-17.49; p=0.023 and adjusted OR, 4.49; 95% CI, 1.34-15.05; p=0.015, respectively). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Patient education, interventions, and appropriate referrals to minimize falls should be considered in older adults with early glaucoma and continue with advancing disease. Decreasing a patient's fall-risk may decrease their fear of falling and avoidance of at-risk activities. Reducing falls, fear of falling, and avoidance of at-risk activities may lower morbidity and mortality and improve emotional and social well-being of glaucoma patients.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0002-9394",
doi="10.1016/j.ajo.2021.02.017",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2021.02.017"
}