Report: New Glasses Can Lead to Falls Among the Elderly

Expert advises a conservative approach.

“Overly aggressive” vision correction in older patients can increase the risk of falls, according to a report in the current issue of Optometry and Vision Science. Unaccustomed magnification may cause objects to appear closer or farther than they really are, thus affecting the reflexes linking the vestibular (balance) system with eye movements, says the report. For older patients who aren’t used to bifocals and “progressive” lenses, switching to these types of lenses may cause distortion in peripheral vision.

Read more at Optometry and Vision Science