Older people with certain eye conditions, such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and glaucoma, are more likely to fall and suffer a fracture than other older people, according to a study conducted in the United Kingdom. It is said to be expensive. Published in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 10 years of medical records of 3.4 million people (average age 74 years), including more than 576,000 people who had one of the eye diseases. The study tracked fractures as well as falls, and found that both risks were highest in glaucoma patients (38% more likely to fall and more likely to suffer a fracture than people without glaucoma). (31% higher). This is followed by cataract patients (36 percent and 28 percent more likely), followed by AMD patients (25 percent and 18 percent more likely).