Visual Impairment and Falls in the Elderly Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Impact of visual impairment on falls and fear of falling in the elderly
IRAS ID
58619
Contact name
Simon Harding
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 9 months, 27 days
Research summary
Currently there are 14.9 million people in the UK aged 60 and above and the risk of falls increase with age. A briefing paper published by the RNIB estimated that the cost of falls associated with sight loss to the NHS is £25.1 million per year. Along with the financial implications of falls to the NHS the consequences to the individual are more far-reaching leading to loss of independence, depression, reduced mobility and therefore impact on quality of life.
This prospective study has 3 main objectives to be achieved over a 3 year period:
1) To investigate the association between visual impairment and falls by comparing a number of visual functions e.g. vision, the ability to differentiate between dark and light objects(contrast sensitivity), appreciate 3D (depth perception) and detect objects in an individual's field of view (visual field) between people who have fallen and those that have not suffered a fall in the past 5 years in individuals over the age of 60.
2) To explore the differences in 'fear of falling'in individuals with cataracts, age-related macular degeneration(AMD) and glaucoma who have had a fall to non visually impaired individuals who have had a fall.
3) To explore the 'fear of falling' in individuals who have recently been diagnosed with an age related eye disease (cataracts, AMD and glaucoma).
Participants will be recruited from the falls unit at Broadgreen Hospital and St.Paul's Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool Hospital. Participants who have not suffered a fall in the past 5 years will be recruited from GP surgeries, the community (e.g. church, pensioner clubs, libraries, exercise classes, bowling greens), and family members of the case participant. The eye examinations will take place at the Royal Liverpool Hospital whilst the interviews exploring the fear of falling will be conducted at a location convenient to the participant.REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/2249
Date of REC Opinion
22 Dec 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion