Development and validation of Visual Impairment as a Risk for Falls Questionnaire. (29th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Labreche, Tammy; Nandakumar, Krithika; Althomali, Mohammed; Leat, Susan J
• Is Part Of: Age and ageing. Volume 47:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 444
• Page End: 450
• Publication Date: 2018-01-29
• Subjects: low vision -- falls -- fall prevention questionnaire -- screening -- older people; Aging -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afx202
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-0729

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: visual impairment is associated with an increased risk of falls, yet eye care professionals are infrequently members of falls prevention clinics. The aim of this preliminary study was to validate a newly created Visual Impairment as a Risk for Falls Questionnaire intended to be used by those professionals not involved in eye care. Methods: about 53 participants with various visual impairments known to be associated with falls and 33 participants with normal sight were contacted within 4 months of a full oculo-visual assessment and were asked the questions from the current questionnaire pertaining to their visual function. A retrospective file review was undertaken and the sensitivity and specificity of participants' responses were calculated compared to the actual vision impairment based on the findings from their visual assessment. Results: the question regarding ability to read was included to identify people with central vision loss, a risk factor for falling. It was found to have sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 87%. Both sensitivity and specificity improved when participants with cognitive impairment were excluded. The question on recognising facial features gave sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 97% for this subgroup. However, questions related to impairments in stereopsis and peripheral fields were not useful. Conclusion: the study demonstrates that several questions of the new questionnaire are useful; however, further testing with a larger population is needed to fully validate the questionnaire for use by health care professionals.