Exploring the Impact of Home Hazards on Falls in Visually Impaired Seniors

A JAMA Ophthalmology study found that poorer visual function combined with modifiable home hazards is associated with higher fall risk among community-dwelling older adults.

In a cohort of 4,648 community-dwelling older adults the investigators assessed distance visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and a structured home-hazard inventory; objective vision measures were linked to a standardized environment instrument and incident falls were the primary endpoint.

The most critical hazards identified were absent grab bars, loose rugs or uneven flooring, poor lighting, and broken steps. Reduced DVA and CS impair detection of depth cues, low-contrast obstacles, and irregular surfaces, increasing the probability of trips and missteps. These findings emphasize that environmental modification matters most for patients with measurable vision deficits.

As a result, it's important to integrate routine vision screening (DVA, CS) with targeted home-hazard assessment can refine fall-risk stratification and guide prioritized environmental interventions. In practice, pairing brief vision measures with targeted home-safety checks could sharpen risk communication and prevention plans.