Abstract
Purpose :
Prior research has not described the relationship between physical activity at home and the home environment in persons with visual impairment. Here we investigate the association between (1) the number and frequency of fall-related home hazards and (2) poor lighting with home physical activity in patients with glaucoma.
Methods :
In this cross-sectional study, participants were 57 years or older at recruitment and diagnosed with primary glaucoma or were glaucoma suspects. Seven areas of participants’ homes were evaluated (bedroom, bathroom, living room, kitchen, dining room, hallway, and indoor stairs) for fall hazards using the Home Environment Assessment for Visually Impaired (HEAVI). Based on these data, the total number of hazards, frequency of hazards, and average home lighting were calculated. Physical activity at home (average daily: steps, moderate to vigorous (MV) activity minutes, and peak cadence) was estimated from 7 days of GPS data (to confirm home location) and accelerometer data (to gauge activity). Negative binomial regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between each measure of home PA with metrics of the home environment. Models controlled for age, race, gender, integrated visual field sensitivity, comorbidities, and polypharmacy.
Results :
One hundred fifty-three participants were included in the analysis with a mean age of 71 years (SD=7.8); half were male and about a third were Black. For every 0.1 log unit increase in average home lighting, significant increases of 3% in average daily peak cadence (p=0.008) and a 12% increase in MV activity (p=0.03) were observed. Furthermore, the average number of steps taken at home daily increased in homes with more home hazards (22% more steps/10 additional home hazards, p=0.04) and it was not associated with average home lighting (p>0.05). The frequency of hazards was not associated with any activity metric (p>0.05 for all)
Conclusions :
The home environment, in particular lighting at home, may influence home physical activity in those with glaucoma. Further research is needed to better understand this relationship and how we may improve the PA at home using home modifications to improve home safety.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.