The association between primary open-angle glaucoma and fall: an observational study.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Geriatric Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Falls pose a significant public health risk for the elderly, with visual function being crucial for maintaining balance and preventing falls.
• Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, potentially impacting visual information critical for safe mobility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of injurious falls in older adults diagnosed with POAG compared to age-matched healthy individuals.
• To identify risk factors associated with injurious falls within the POAG patient population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 101 POAG patients and 117 healthy controls aged over 45.
• Data collected via questionnaires on injurious fall history over the preceding 10 years.
• Statistical analysis included Fisher's exact test and logistic regression to assess the association between POAG and falls, adjusting for relevant factors.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of injurious falls was significantly higher in the POAG group (6.9%) compared to the control group (0.9%).
• Within the POAG cohort, older age, lower BMI, worse best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and poorer visual field (mean deviation) were associated with a history of injurious falls.
• Worse mean deviation in the better-seeing eye was identified as a significant risk factor for injurious falls in POAG patients.

Conclusions:

• Primary open-angle glaucoma is significantly associated with an increased risk of experiencing injurious falls in older adults.
• Visual field impairment in POAG is a critical factor contributing to fall risk, underscoring the need for fall prevention strategies in this population.