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Association of visual impairment with mobility and physical function
M E Salive1, J Guralnik, R J Glynn
1Epidemiology, Demography and Biometry Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|March 1, 1994
Summary
Good distant vision is crucial for maintaining physical function in older adults. Impaired vision significantly increases the risk of mobility and daily living limitations, highlighting the importance of vision care for aging populations.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
Background:
- Physical function declines with age, increasing disability risk.
- Vision impairment is common in older adults and may impact functional status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between distant visual acuity and physical function in older adults.
- To determine if vision impairment predicts future limitations in mobility and daily activities.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study of 5143 older adults (Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly).
- Assessed visual acuity, self-reported activities of daily living (ADLs) and mobility, and objective physical performance (balance, walking, chair rise).
Main Results:
- Worse visual function was associated with limitations in mobility, ADLs, and physical performance.
- Severe visual impairment (worse than 20/40) predicted a 3-fold increased risk of incident mobility and ADL limitations.
- Poor vision was associated with a lower likelihood of functional improvement, particularly for mobility.
Conclusions:
- Distant visual acuity is a significant factor in maintaining physical function, especially mobility, in older adults.
- Interventions to improve vision in at-risk elders may help preserve function and prevent disability.