Abstract
Purpose :
To determine the relationship between glaucoma severity and rate of falls, fear of falling, and avoidance of activities at-risk for falls.
Methods :
Cross-sectional study. Glaucoma patients (n=138), ages 55-90 years, with mild (n=61), moderate (n=54), and advanced (n=23) glaucoma in the better eye based on Hoddap-Anderson-Parish glaucoma staging system, and age-matched controls (n=50) were recruited from the Eye Clinics at Washington University, St. Louis, MO. Participants completed questionnaires regarding rate of falls, fear of falling, and avoidance of activities at-risk for falls.
Results :
Of the glaucoma participants, 36% reported at least one fall in the prior 12 months compared to 20% of controls (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.7; 95% CI, 1.18-6.17; p=0.018). Compared to controls, the mild glaucoma group trended towards a higher fall risk (adjusted OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 0.97-6.08; p=0.059) and the advanced group had the highest fall risk (adjusted OR, 7.97; 95% CI, 2.44-26.07; p=0.001). A high fear of falling and high avoidance of activities at-risk for falls relative to controls began at the moderate stage of glaucoma (adjusted OR, 4.66; 95% CI, 1.24-17.49; p=0.023 and adjusted OR, 4.49; 95% CI, 1.34-15.05; p=0.015, respectively).
Conclusions :
Patient education, interventions, and appropriate referrals to minimize fall risk should be considered in patients with early glaucoma and continue with advancing disease. Decreasing a patient’s rate of falls may decrease their fear of falling and avoidance of at-risk activities. Early reduction of rates of falls, fear of falling, and avoidance of activities at-risk for falls will not only decrease patient morbidity and mortality but also improve patients’ emotional and social well-being.
This is a 2021 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.