'Correctable undetected visual acuity deficit' in patients aged 65 and over attending an accident and emergency department.

Abstract

The rate of occurrence of correctable undetected visual acuity deficit (CUVAD)

Effectiveness of screening older people for impaired vision in community setting: systematic review of evidence from randomised controlled trials

“…In the United Kingdom fear of costs has been repeatedly cited by a proportion of older people as a barrier to attending an optometrist and obtaining glasses. 3 14 24 35 In addition, ophthalmic services are unable to meet current demands for treatment, with long waiting lists for cataract surgery in many areas 36…”

“…Other possible inhibiting factors include fears about surgical treatment and costs24 and the stigma of blindness 25…”

Access to free eye examinations: The need to understand the low take-up of free eye examinations by older people in the United Kingdom

“…Van der Pols et al [16] found that those aged over 65 years in lower socio-economic groups were less likely to have eye examinations than those in higher socio-economic group. Reinstein et al [11] found that financial and mobility reasons or a perception that examinations are not necessary were the most common reasons for older people not having an eye examination in the previous 2 years. Rudat [12] found that visits to optometrists varied by ethnic group and Pardhan et al [10] found that those from black and ethnic minorities are less likely to visit an optometrist than white people.…”

Myopes Show Greater Visually Induced Postural Responses Than Emmetropes

“…Vision seems to be overrepresented in children (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16) years old) 12 and in the elderly (65 years and older), 14 whereas its influence decreases and stabilizes between the ages of 18 and 19 years 12 up to approximately 45 years. 13 In parallel with the period at which postural control develops and is more dependent on vision in children (5-19 years), there is a concurrent development of ''youth-onset myopia'' (6-19 years of age) according to Grosvenor's 15 myopia review.…”

“…The visual system is evidently involved in postural stability 1,2 and many studies have already demonstrated that visual impairment is a factor that can significantly increase the risk of falls, especially in the elderly. [3][4][5] Moreover, Reinstein et al 6 found that more than one-third of elderly patients who were hospitalized due to a fall presented visual acuity deficit that could be easily corrected with an adapted prescription. Although other sensory systems are involved in maintaining the stability of the body in space, 7 the role of vision is crucial in postural control, especially in the upright position.…”