Relationship between Visual Functioning, Balance, and Fear of Falling among Community-dwelling seniors with Cataract

The most prevalent visual problem among community- dwelling seniors is cataract; it is typically results in progressive visual functioning changes such as decreased in visual acuity, peripheral vision, depth perception, contrast sensitivity and colors discrimination, and increased sensitivity to glare exposure. As a result, it impairs movement and balance; seniors with impaired balance more likely to fall and suffer the physical, psycho-social, and economic consequences, lowering their quality of life. Objective: To identify the relationship between visual functioning, balance, and fear of falling among community-dwelling seniors with cataract. Setting: Outpatient clinics affiliated to the General Ophthalmology Hospital, previously Farouk Hospital, in Alexandria, Egypt. Subjects: A purposive sample of 100 community-dwelling seniors diagnosed with cataract. Tools: Four tools were used for data collection: Socio-demographic and Clinical data of Community-dwelling seniors with Cataract Structured Interview Schedule, The Visual Function Index (VF-14), The Berg Balance Tests (BBT), and The Short Falls Efficacy Scale-International (SFES-I). Results: The studied community-dwelling seniors with cataract were found to possess moderate levels of visual impairments, fall risks, and fall concerns (61.0%, 49.0%, and 42.0%, respectively). Furthermore, a statistically significant positive correlation between the study participants visual functioning and their balance (x² = 35.773 ^MCp = <0.001). The visual functioning of the study participants was correlated with their fear of falling, but the difference was not statistically significant (x² = 3.671 ^MCp = 0.458). Moreover, their balance was positively correlated with their fear of falling, and the difference was statistically significant (x² = 19.141 ^MCp = 0.001). Conclusion: Visual functioning and balance were revealed to have statistically significant positive relationship among community-dwelling seniors with cataract; additionally, their balance was positively connected with their fear of falling. On the other hand, their visual functioning was not significantly correlated with their fear of falling. Recommendations: For community-dwelling seniors with cataract, ongoing assessment is required to evaluate their level of visual functioning and balance; this will assist gerontological nurses in providing appropriate nursing interventions to lessen and prevent fear of falling and its adverse consequences.