title: Preventing falls in older multifocal glasses wearers by providing single-lens distance glasses: the protocol for the VISIBLE randomised controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent research has shown that wearing multifocal glasses increases the risk of trips and falls in older people. The aim of this study is to determine whether the provision of single-lens distance glasses to older multifocal glasses wearers, with recommendations for wearing them for walking and outdoor activities, can prevent falls. We will also measure the effect of the intervention on health status, lifestyle activities and fear of falling, as well as the extent of adherence to the program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Approximately 580 older people who are regular wearers of multifocal glasses people will be recruited. Participants will be randomly allocated to either an intervention group (provision of single lens glasses, with counselling and advice about appropriate use) or a control group (usual care). The primary outcome measure will be falls (measured with 13 monthly calendars). Secondary measures will be quality of life, falls efficacy, physical activity levels and adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study will determine the impact of providing single-lens glasses, with advice about appropriate use, on preventing falls in older regular wearers of multifocal glasses. This pragmatic intervention, if found to be effective, will guide practitioners with regard to recommending appropriate glasses for minimising the risk of falls in older people.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The protocol for this study was registered with the Clinical Trials.gov Protocol Registration System on June 7th 2006 (#350855).
authors.affiliation: Department of Aged Care and Rehabilitation, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW, Australia. mharan@med.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Haran
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lord
authors.forename: Ian D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: Rebecca Q
authors.initials: RQ
authors.lastname: Ivers
authors.forename: Judy M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: Bonsan B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Mamta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Porwal
authors.forename: Marcella M S
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kwan
authors.forename: Connie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Severino