We don't think about our eyes much. They're just there, doing their job, until suddenly they're not. And by then, it's often too late.
This is particularly true when it comes to falling. Falls are a big deal, especially for older people. They're the leading cause of injury-related deaths among people over 65. And one of the biggest risk factors for falls is something most people don't even consider: poor vision.
It's not hard to see why vision matters for avoiding falls. If you can't see that loose rug or that step down clearly, you're more likely to trip. But the connection between vision and balance goes deeper than that.
Our eyes play a crucial role in how we maintain our balance. They're constantly sending information to our brain about where we are in space. When that information is compromised, our balance suffers.
The tricky thing about vision loss is that it often happens so gradually that we don't notice it. Our brains are remarkably good at compensating for declining visual acuity. We adapt, often without realizing it. But while we might not notice the changes, our risk of falling steadily increases.
This is where regular eye check-ups come in. They can catch problems before they become serious. But more importantly, they can catch problems before we've even noticed them.
The standard recommendation is to have a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years if you're over 65. But many people don't follow this advice. They figure if they can still read and drive, their eyes must be fine.
This is a dangerous misconception. Many eye conditions that increase fall risk don't affect your ability to read or see things up close. Conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration can significantly impair your peripheral vision or depth perception without affecting your central vision.
Take glaucoma, for instance. It's often called the "silent thief of sight" because it typically has no symptoms in its early stages. By the time you notice vision loss, significant damage has already occurred. But regular eye exams can catch it early, when it's still treatable.
Cataracts are another common problem. They develop so slowly that many people don't realize how much their vision has deteriorated. They adapt to the gradual clouding of their vision. But this adaptation comes at a cost. Their contrast sensitivity decreases, making it harder to see edges and obstacles, especially in low light.
Even something as simple as an outdated eyeglass prescription can significantly increase fall risk. Your vision changes over time, and a prescription that was perfect two years ago might be inadequate now.
But it's not just about detecting problems. Regular eye exams can also lead to solutions that dramatically reduce fall risk. Sometimes it's as simple as a new pair of glasses. Other times it might involve treating an underlying condition or making changes to your home environment based on your specific visual needs.
There's also the issue of multifocal lenses. While they're convenient for reading and distance vision, they can distort your depth perception when looking down. This can make it harder to judge the height of steps or curbs. For some people, switching to single-vision lenses for walking and other physical activities can significantly reduce their fall risk.
One of the challenges is that many people don't connect vision care with fall prevention. When we think about preventing falls, we tend to focus on obvious hazards like slippery floors or loose rugs. Vision seems unrelated.
This is a failure of marketing as much as anything else. Eye doctors and public health officials need to do a better job of explaining the connection between vision and falls. It's not intuitive, but it's crucial.
There's also a broader lesson here about preventive health care. Often, the most important health interventions are the ones that address problems before they become apparent. But these are also the hardest interventions to motivate people to do. It's hard to solve a problem that doesn't seem to exist yet.
This is where systemic changes can help. If regular eye exams were as routine and expected as regular dental check-ups, we'd catch a lot more problems early. But changing health behaviors is notoriously difficult.
There's an opportunity here for startups. How can we make eye exams more accessible and convenient? Could telemedicine play a role? Are there ways to integrate basic vision screening into other health appointments?
The technology already exists to do sophisticated eye exams with nothing more than a smartphone and a special attachment. But the challenge is getting people to use it regularly.
This points to a general principle in healthcare innovation: often, the technology isn't the hard part. The hard part is changing behavior and integrating new practices into existing systems.
For now, the best thing we can do is spread awareness. If you're over 65, or if you have parents or grandparents who are, make sure regular eye exams are part of the health routine. It's a simple step that can have a big impact.
Remember, when it comes to vision and falls, what you don't see can hurt you. Don't wait until you notice a problem. By then, you might already be on the ground.
As you consider making your home more accessible and comfortable for aging-in-place, remember that a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) can provide invaluable expertise. These professionals are trained to understand the unique needs of older adults and can help create safe, functional living spaces that promote independence. If you're looking to hire a CAPS professional in your area, don't hesitate to contact us for recommendations. We can connect you with experienced specialists who can turn your aging-in-place vision into reality. On the other hand, if you're inspired to become a CAPS professional yourself and join this rewarding field, we encourage you to explore the opportunity. Click here to learn more about the CAPS certification process, including upcoming training dates and requirements. Whether you're seeking assistance or looking to start a new career path, the world of CAPS has much to offer.
Fritzi Gros-Daillon MS, CSA, CAPS, UDCP, SHSS
Household Guardians, Owner
2019 NAHB Instructor of the Year
Published author of "Grace and Grit: Insights to Real Life Challenges of Aging"
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