| Summary: | Visual loss is an independent risk factor for falls, which are one of the leading causes of injury related death and disability in the elderly. Falls can lead to fractures, and only half of patients treated for a hip fracture were able to return to independent living. As the largest generation of the population ages across the globe, fall prevention is more critical than ever. Vision, contrast sensitivity, and stereopsis are key factors for posture control under challenging conditions and therefore risk prevention. Multifocal glasses wearers, for example, have impaired edge-contrast sensitivity and depth perception, and the use of these glasses substantially increases the risk of a fall. Since many physicians are not trained to consider these unique needs in patients, coverage on this topic is essential across the board. This video covers fall prevention as a risk to aging patients, the role that vision care plays in minimizing these risks, and tips to improve patient safety for geriatricians, primary care providers, social workers and all others.
|
|---|