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. 2008 Oct 1;8(2):1–78.
Study Population Intervention Follow-Up Outcomes Measured Results
Cumming (2007) (166)

  • Aged 70+

  • No cataract surgery or new eyeglass prescription in previous 3 months

  • Intervention (N=309) vs. control (N=307)

  • Vision tests and eye examinations by optometrist

  • New eyeglasses dispensed if required

  • If ocular pathology requiring treatment, referred to ophthalmologist or public hospital eye clinic

  • If substantial impairment, referred to OT for home modifications/assistive devices

 12 months Falls, fallers, multiple fallers, fractures

  • Falls: RR, 1.35 (1.18–1.55)

  • Fallers: RR, 1.54 (1.25–1.91)

  • Multiple fallers: RR, 1.24 (0.99–1.54)

  • Fractures: RR, 1.74 (0.97– 3.11)


not blinded
Day (2002) (167)

  • Aged 70+

  • Healthy

  • Vision improvement: assessed at baseline using dual visual acuity chart

  • Referred to eye care provider, GP or local optometrist where needed

 18 months Number of fallers

  • Fallers: RR, 0.95 (0.79– 1.14)
Foss (2006) (168)

  • Aged 70+

  • Women

  • Following one successful cataract operation with second operable cataract

  • About half patients recruited from Harwood (2005) trial

  • Expedited surgery (N=120) vs. routine surgery (N=119)

  • Small incision cataract surgery and implantation of a folding silicone intraocular lens under local anaesthetic.

 12 months Falls, ADLs, QoL, Rate of falling

  • No statistically significant results

  • First fall: HR, 1.06 (0.69–1.61)

  • Multiple fallers: HR, 0.85 (0.49–1.56)

  • Rate of falling: Rate ratio, 0.68 (0.39–1.19)
Harwood (2005) (169)

  • Aged 70+

  • Women

  • With cataracts with no previous ocular surgery, who were suitable for surgery

  • Expedited surgery (N=154) vs. routine surgery (N=152)

  • Small incision cataract surgery and implantation of a folding silicone intraocular lens under local anaesthetic.

 12 months Falls, ADLs, QoL, Rate of falling

  • Any falls: HR, 0.95 (0.69–1.35)

  • Multiple fallers: HR, 0.60 (0.36–0.98)

  • Rate of falling: Rate ratio, 0.66 (0.45–0.96)

  • Improvement in QoL measured using Euroqol (P = .02)
*

ADLs refers to activities of daily living; GP, general practitioner; HR, hazard ratio; OT, occupational therapist; QoL, quality of life; RR, relative risk.