The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #73123

Gregory L. Goodrich, PhD, Psychology Service and Western Blind Rehabilitation Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304, 650-493-5000, ext 64385, Gregory.Goodrich@med.va.gov

Age is the single best predictor of severe visual impairment and severe visual impairment is a known risk factor for injury, disease, and mortality in the elderly. The elderly, and most health care professionals are unaware of the risk for vision loss and the availability of effective vision rehabilitation services. This lack of awareness is a public health issue. For example, 18% of all hip fractures among the elderly are attributed to a visual impairment. Older individuals often self limit their travel. Reduced activity and poor nutrition may increase the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Paradoxically, increasing travel among the elderly also increases the risk of injury. Elderly visually impaired individuals are at 1.7X greater risk for mortality than their non-visually impaired peers. The severity of the visual impairment can be quantified by measuring visual acuity, visual field and contrast sensitivity, however these measures of disability do not appear to measure the individual’s ability to overcome the disability and decrease the risk for injury, disease, or mortality. This presentation will focus on the risks associated with visual impairment among the elderly and provide information about assessing functional visual loss and the rehabilitation strategies that can mitigate vision related disability.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees will be able to:
• Identify the primary causes of vision loss among the elderly
• Identify the relationship of vision loss to the performance of daily activities
• Identify strategies and resources that reduce the health related risks associated with aging and vision loss

Keywords: Disease Prevention, Injury Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.