Skip to main content
Loading Loading
  • Find a Doctor
  • Eye Health Library
  • Eye See...Eye Learn
  • Contact
Sign In
  • About OAOToggle
      • About us
      • Contact us
      • Board of Directors
  • PatientsToggle
      • What is an optometrist?
      • Ask an Optometrist
      • Medical coverage
      • Eye health library
      • Eye See... Eye Learn
  • DoctorsToggle
      • Join: Practicing optometrists
      • Join: new graduates
  • EventsToggle
      • Optometry events
      • Partnership opportunities
      • 2020 Symposium and InfoMart
  • MediaToggle
      • OAO news and stories
      • In the news
      • Public outreach campaigns
      • Photo gallery
  • Classified AdsToggle
      • Submit an ad
      • Classifieds ads
  • JOIN NOWToggle
      • Why join?


Optometrists Play a Significant Role in Fall Prevention in Older Adults
Seniors with Low Vision Twice as likely to Fall


October 28, 2019 – Although there are many factors that can cause a fall, vision loss is often the primary cause. Even the smallest change in a person’s vision can increase the risk of a fall, especially in seniors.

“Seniors with visual impairment are twice as likely to fall,” says Dr. Joshua C. Smith, President of the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO). “And often they are not aware of how subtle forms of impairment, such as changes in peripheral vision and depth perception, can contribute to accident occurrence and avoidance.”

Age-related vision conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, and even simply not wearing glasses, can prevent seniors from seeing objects in their way and lead to falls.

Falls can be quite serious and often result in injuries such as hip fractures and head trauma, which can have a debilitating effect on a person’s quality of life. However, many falls can help be prevented through a comprehensive eye examination. An optometrist can diagnose vision-threatening conditions so that appropriate action can be taken before an accident occurs.

“As primary eye care providers, it is our responsibility not only to address patients' vision and eye health needs, but also to discuss safety and injury prevention concerns, so that our patients can continue living safely and independently," says Dr. Smith.

Annual eye exams for adults over the age of 65 are covered by OHIP.

Find an optometrist near you.

ABOUT THE ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF OPTOMETRISTS 

The Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) is the leading professional organization, representing over 1,700 optometrists. We are dedicated to helping our members provide the highest standard of eye health and vision care for Ontarians while driving the profession of optometry forward.  For more information: optom.on.ca.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Brittany Blow
Ontario Association of Optometrists
905-826-3522 ext. 246
bblow@optom.on.ca

ABOUT

The Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) is the leading professional organization representing over 1,600 optometrists in Ontario for over 100 years. We are dedicated to helping our members provide the highest standard of eye health and vision care for Ontarians while driving the profession of optometry forward.

LATEST NEWS

Optometrists Play a Significant Role in Fall Prevention in Older Adults
Optometrists Warn Ontarians of the Scary Health Risks of Wearing Halloween Cosmetic Contact Lenses
Request for Proposals (RFP) for Strategic Plan: Facilitation and Report Writing

CONTACT

20 Adelaide Street East, Box 16, Suite 801
Toronto, Ontario, M5C 2T6
Phone: 905-826-3522 or 1-800-540-3837
Fax: 905-826-0625

                  
SITE MAP | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE | FIND A DOCTOR
©2017 Ontario Association of Optometrists | Eye See…Eye Learn® and Fribbit® are trademarks of the Alberta Association of Optometrists, used under license by the Ontario Association of Optometrists.

ABOUT SSL CERTIFICATES
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]## ##LOC[Cancel]##