Effect of cataract surgery on falls and mobility in independently living older adults.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of cataract surgery on the occurrence of falls and mobility and balance problems in older adults with cataract.


METHODS
Longitudinal follow-up study.


METHODS
Clinical Research Unit, University of Alabama at Birmingham.


METHODS
Persons aged 55 and older with a cataract were recruited from 12 eye clinics in Alabama from October 1994 through March 1996. Participants were classified into two groups: those who had cataract surgery (surgery group, n=122) and those who had not (no-surgery group, n=92).


METHODS
At baseline and 1-year follow-up visits, information on the occurrence of falls and mobility and balance problems was collected based on subjects' recall of events during the prior 12 months.


RESULTS
After adjusting for demographic, behavioral, medical, and visual characteristics, there was no difference between the two groups in the likelihood of falling (risk ratio (RR)=0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.64-1.42) or in having mobility (RR=0.81, 95% CI=0.55-1.18) or balance difficulties (RR=0.71, 95% CI=0.37-1.39).


CONCLUSIONS
Cataract surgery had no association with the occurrence of falls or mobility or balance problems in independently living older adults with a cataract.
McGwin
Gerald
G
Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA. mcgwin@uab.edu
Gewant
Hilary D
HD
Modjarrad
Kayvon
K
Hall
Tyler Andrew
TA
Owsley
Cynthia
C
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance; D014792:Visual Acuity