People with cataracts may be more likely to have a fall after having surgery for the condition, according to a new study. For people who have two operations (one on each eye) the chance of falling is greatest between operations.
What Do We Know Already?
If you have a cataract, it means the lens - the part of the eye that focuses light - is not clear. This can affect your eyesight in one or both eyes, and having impaired vision can also increase the chances of falls and injuries.
Some people choose to have an operation to remove their cataracts. Most people who have the operation can see much better afterwards and are more likely to be able to look after themselves and do everyday things.
Previous studies about the risk of falls after cataract surgery have found different results. Some studies found that people were less likely to have a fall, while others found the opposite or found no clear result at all. Most people with cataracts end up having them in both eyes. And people usually have two operations to remove the cataracts in different eyes at different times. Researchers wanted to know if having two operations some time apart affects people’s chances of having a fall.
Researchers looked at the medical records of about 28,000 people aged 60 years and older in Western Australia who had two cataract operations some months apart. The researchers recorded how many people had serious falls during the study, which lasted seven years. From this they worked out people’s chance of a fall at three time points:
Before having their first cataract operation.
Between the first and the second operation.
After having their second operation. Continue Reading...
What Do We Know Already?
If you have a cataract, it means the lens - the part of the eye that focuses light - is not clear. This can affect your eyesight in one or both eyes, and having impaired vision can also increase the chances of falls and injuries.
Some people choose to have an operation to remove their cataracts. Most people who have the operation can see much better afterwards and are more likely to be able to look after themselves and do everyday things.
Previous studies about the risk of falls after cataract surgery have found different results. Some studies found that people were less likely to have a fall, while others found the opposite or found no clear result at all. Most people with cataracts end up having them in both eyes. And people usually have two operations to remove the cataracts in different eyes at different times. Researchers wanted to know if having two operations some time apart affects people’s chances of having a fall.
Researchers looked at the medical records of about 28,000 people aged 60 years and older in Western Australia who had two cataract operations some months apart. The researchers recorded how many people had serious falls during the study, which lasted seven years. From this they worked out people’s chance of a fall at three time points:
Before having their first cataract operation.
Between the first and the second operation.
After having their second operation. Continue Reading...
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