title: Multifactoral measures of fall risk in the visually impaired population: A pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the feasibility of taking multiple measures of visual and physical function in adults with visual impairment. A second objective was to obtain preliminary data on risk for falls in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cohort feasibility study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University ambulatory patient care center and research center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Convenience sample of community-dwelling men and women over age 18 with visual impairment (n = 12). Thirteen subjects were enrolled in the study; one was subsequently excluded due to self-reported cognitive decline at time of testing. Subjects were grouped by prospective fall incidence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Verbal education.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjective measures of function; objective measures of visual and physical function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Visually impaired adults can safely complete a battery of physical functions to predict fall risk. Recent onset of visual impairment was correlated with higher fall risk [-0.53 ± 0.22, p = 0.04].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is feasible for an interdisciplinary team to measure risk for falls in adults with a visual impairment. Further investigation is needed to identify predictors of falls in adults of all ages with visual impairment.
authors.affiliation: California State University Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, California, 91330, USA. Electronic address: victoria.graham@csun.edu.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.affiliation: Western University of Health Sciences, College of Optometry, USA. Electronic address: knapier@westernu.edu.
authors.forename: Kierstyn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Napier-Dovorany
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: Accidental fall; Interdisciplinary communication; Physical examination; Risk assessment; Visual impairment