Prevalence of visual impairment V1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Identifying the prevalence of visual problems in Older People presenting to hospital with a low trauma fragility fracture
IRAS ID
220632
Contact name
Opinder Sahota
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
researchregistry2181, Research Registry
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 1 months, 31 days
Research summary
Falls in the elderly are common; they are very disabling with ten per cent of all falls resulting in a neck of femur fracture. Falls are often multifactorial but a common cause of a fall is impaired vision. Vision is one of the easiest of factors to contributing to a fall to intervene with. Ten per cent of falls result in a hip fracture leading to long periods of hospitalisation and potential transfer to rehabilitation units or residential care. Currently research is around the prevalence of visual impairment in those who have already had a serious fracture e.g. a hip fracture. By identifying the prevalence of visual impairment in this population further work can be done to see what optimum intervention may be to prevent vision related falls. Therefore, if the number of falls and fragility fractures can be reduced, there is a potential for large benefits for the patient and reduced health and social care costs.\nThe study we are carrying out is a prevalence study in preparation for a larger study looking at causes of visual impairment and optimum interventions for this group. In this study over 65’s will be recruited as they attend the fracture liaison service following a fall. The subjects would have no extra hospital visits. The study would comprise of a brief overview of their eye history and some basic tests of visual function i.e. acuity, eye alignment, visual field and check to ensure the back of the eye is visible. The screening would take 15 minutes for the individual. If the study shows positive results, this will mean we can long term reduce the number of vision related falls and fragility fractures from falls we can improve their quality of life as well as their health and social care costs.\n
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0202
Date of REC Opinion
19 Apr 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion