As the average age of the U.S. population continues to increase, so does the risk of falls—bottom line, as we age, our risk for falls goes up. We all do the usual assessments to identify residents at risk, and we do a great job of referring those residents to restorative nursing or skilled therapy. But what about vision? If a resident wears corrective lenses, staff may help keep them clean and ensure the resident has them on, but how do we know there aren’t underlying problems with the eye itself?
That’s where understanding the link between cataract surgery and fall prevention in older adults becomes so important. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that age-related cataract extraction with intraocular lens insertion (CEIOL) is associated with decreased falls, fractures, and intracranial hemorrhages in older adults. Patients who underwent CEIOL had significantly lower odds of falls compared to those who did not have the procedure. They were also less likely to suffer fractures of the proximal humerus, distal radius, hip, and ankle, and the risk of intracranial hemorrhage—including subdural and epidural bleeds—was lower in patients who had CEIOL. Experts have highlighted cataract surgery as a promising intervention to help prevent falls and fractures in older adults.
When was the last time you had an optometrist or ophthalmologist visit your community? Are you encouraging family members to take their loved ones out for eye examinations? It doesn’t take much to identify a cataract, and if something so straightforward could reduce negative outcomes like those seen in this study, it might be time to do a risk-benefit analysis. Exploring cataract surgery and fall prevention in older adults could help your community make informed decisions that improve quality of life. There are certainly residents who would not be candidates for cataract removal, but maybe there are a few who would benefit. Talk to your medical director, seek out referrals for resources who can visit your community and perform eye exams, and work to rule out cataracts in those high-risk residents. It might just make a difference in their quality of life and help prevent a fall with significant injury. Stay well and stay informed!
