title: Binocular vision and eye movement disorders in older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of binocular vision (BV) and eye movement disorders in a clinic population of older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective clinic data were abstracted from files of 500 older patients seen at the University of Waterloo Optometry Clinic over a 1-year period. Stratified sampling gave equal numbers of patients in the 60 to 69, 70 to 79, and 80+ age groups. Data included age, general and ocular history and symptoms, use of antidepressants, a habit of smoking, refraction, visual acuity, BV and eye movement status for the most recent full oculo-visual assessment, and an assessment 10 years prior. The prevalence of any BV or eye movement abnormal test (AT) result, defined as a test result outside the normal range, was determined. This included strabismus (any) or phoria; incomitancy; poor pursuits; and remote near point of convergence (NPC). The prevalence of significant BV disorders (diagnostic entities, i.e., a clinical condition that may need treatment and may have functional implications) was also determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of any BV or eye movement at was 41%, 44%, and 51% in the 60 to 69, 70 to 79, and 80+ age groups, respectively. These figures were lower for 10 years earlier: 31%, 36%, and 40% for ages 50 to 59, 60 to 69, and 70+, respectively. The prevalence of any BV or eye movement disorder was 27%, 30%, and 38% for the three age groups and 17%, 19%, and 24% for 10 years prior. Age and use of antidepressants most commonly predicted BV or eye movement AT or disorder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BV disorders are common among older adults.
authors: School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. leat@uwaterloo.ca
authors: Susan J
authors: SJ
authors: Leat
authors: Lisa Li-Li
authors: LL
authors: Chan
authors: Priya-Devi
authors: PD
authors: Maharaj
authors: Patricia K
authors: PK
authors: Hrynchak
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Mittelstaedt
authors: Carolyn M
authors: CM
authors: Machan
authors: Elizabeth L
authors: EL
authors: Irving
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015835:Ocular Motility Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015348:Vision, Binocular / Q000502:physiology*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents
keywords: aging; binocular vision disorders; eye movement disorders; heterophoria