Journal article
Association of Visual Impairment with Mobility and Physical Function
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS), Vol.42(3), pp.287-292
03/1994
DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1994.tb01753.x
PMID: 8120313
Abstract
Objective
To examine the association of distant vision and physical function in the population of older adults.
Design
Cross‐sectional and cohort study.
Participants
5143 older residents of three communities (Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly) who were interviewed in 1988–89, including residents of two communities who were re‐interviewed 15 months later (n = 3133, 97% of those eligible).
Measures
Visual acuity screening, self‐reported activities of daily living and mobility, and objective physical performance measures of balance, walking, and rising from a chair.
Results
Limitations in mobility, activities of daily living, and physical performance were associated with worse visual function. In prospective analyses controlling for potential confounders, participants with severe visual impairment had 3‐fold higher odds of incident mobility and activity of daily living limitations than those with acuity of 20/40 or better (P < 0.001). In prospective analyses investigating the relationship of vision with improvement in function, those with poor vision were about half as likely to improve as those with better acuity, but this relationship was only statistically significant for improvement in mobility limitations.
Conclusions
Distant visual function appears to play an important role in physical function, particularly for mobility. An intervention to improve vision in at‐risk elders might preserve function and prevent disability; this warrants further investigation.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Association of Visual Impairment with Mobility and Physical Function
- Creators
- Marcel E. Salive - National Institute on AgingJack GuralnikRobert J. GlynnWilliam ChristenRobert B. WallaceAdrian M. Ostfeld
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS), Vol.42(3), pp.287-292
- DOI
- 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1994.tb01753.x
- PMID
- 8120313
- NLM abbreviation
- J Am Geriatr Soc
- ISSN
- 0002-8614
- eISSN
- 1532-5415
- Number of pages
- 6
- Grant note
- National Institute on Aging, through (N01‐AG‐02105; N01‐AG‐02106; N01‐AG‐02107)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/1994
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology; Injury Prevention Research Center; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984363633502771
Metrics
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