Fear of falling in age-related macular degeneration.
BACKGROUND
Prior studies have shown age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to be associated with falls. The purpose of this study is to determine if (AMD) and AMD-related vision loss are associated with fear of falling, an important and distinct outcome.


METHODS
Sixty-five persons with AMD with evidence of vision loss in one or both eyes and 60 glaucoma suspects with normal vision completed the University of Illinois at Chicago Fear of Falling questionnaire. Responses were Rasch analyzed. Scores were expressed in logit units, with lower scores demonstrating lesser ability and greater fear of falling.


RESULTS
Compared to glaucoma suspect controls, AMD subjects had worse visual acuity (VA) (median better-eye VA = 20/48 vs. 20/24, p < 0.001) and worse contrast sensitivity (CS) (binocular CS = 1.9 vs. 1.5 log units, p < 0.001). AMD subjects were also older, more likely to be Caucasian, and less likely to be employed (p < 0.05 for all), but were similar with regards to other demographic and health measures. In multivariable models controlling for age, gender, body habitus, strength, and comorbid illnesses, AMD subjects reported greater fear of falling as compared to controls (β = -0.77 logits, 95% CI = -1.5 to -0.002, p = 0.045). In separate multivariable models, fear of falling increased with worse VA (β = -0.15 logits/1 line decrement, 95% CI = -0.28 to -0.03, p = 0.02) and CS (β = -0.20 logits/0.1 log unit decrement, 95% CI = -0.31 to -0.09, p = 0.001). Greater fear of falling was also associated with higher BMI, weaker grip, and more comorbid illnesses (p < 0.05 for all).


CONCLUSIONS
AMD and AMD-related vision loss are associated with greater fear of falling in the elderly. Development, validation, and implementation of methods to address falls and fear of falling for individuals with vision loss from AMD are important goals for future work.
Suzanne W
SW
van Landingham
Robert W
RW
Massof
Emilie
E
Chan
David S
DS
Friedman
Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 600 North Wolfe St, Maumenee B-110, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. pramulu@jhmi.edu.
Pradeep Y
PY
Ramulu
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology