Falls Among the Elderly and Vision: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Falls among older people are widespread, and can be catastrophic in terms of injury magnitude, quality of life impact, and increased mortality risk. Among a multitude of factors influencing falls risk rates among older people are deficits in vision, and/or their effects on locomotion, balance, and functional ability. This review discusses the above topic, offers insight into what can be done in this realm based on the current body of literature. Sources drawn from leading peer review articles published over the last 30 years using key words: falls, vision, injury, fracture were retrieved and are analyzed and discussed. On this basis, the importance of falls and their prevention, and future clinical and research directives are highlighted. Expected to increase in prevalence falls cause much undue distress and high personal, as well as societal costs. The research literature on vision and falls, despite having major implications, remains limited at best, at present.