Falls and Eye Injuries | Fall Prevention Awareness Week

Falls are one of the most common causes of injuries in older adults. Not only can falls lead to fractures, but they can also cause eye injuries.

September is Healthy Aging Month, and September 22nd through September 26th is Fall Prevention Awareness Week. Both of these campaigns help bring attention to keeping older adults healthy, including reducing the risk of falls.

Continue reading for an examination of common causes of falls, potential eye injuries, and fall prevention strategies.
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Statistics

As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of injury in adults over the age of 65. About 25% of older adults report falling every year, accounting for about 14 million falls yearly in the United States.

Falls among older adults can lead to various types of injuries, including fractures, concussions, and serious eye injuries. Unfortunately, falls are fatal in some instances. According to the National Safety Council in 2023, over 41,000 adults over age 65 died as a result of a fall.
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Eye injuries and falls

According to research in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, in adults over the age of 65, 11.5% of eye injuries occurred due to falls. Eye injuries occur due to the blunt force and impact of hitting the ground. The severity of the damage to the eye may depend on the:

• The height of the fall
• Force of impact
• Age of the person
• Bone density

Eye injuries related to a fall often include the following:

Orbital fracture: This is a break to the bone of the eye socket. It usually affects one eye.

Soft tissue injury: A soft tissue injury is damage to the skin and tissue around the eye, including the eyelid and the under-eye area. It may include bruising and a black eye.

Damage to the tear ducts: Depending on the intensity of the fall, the tear ducts could become damaged.
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Causes of falls 

Several contributing factors may lead to falls among older adults. For example, vision problems, such as cataracts or macular degeneration, may impair an individual's ability to navigate their environment safely, leading to falls. Additional causes of falls include:

• Medical conditions such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's, which can make an individual unsteady on their feet
• Side effects from medication, which can lead to lightheadedness
• Age-related loss of muscle mass, which causes weakness
• Safety hazards in the environment 

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Fall Prevention 

There are many steps an individual can take to decrease their risk of falls, including those listed below.

• Talk to your doctor if you feel unsteady on your feet. You may have a treatable medical condition or be able to switch medication if it is contributing to your unsteadiness.
• Clear your home of clutter and remove tripping hazards such as slippery throw rugs, piles of shoes, and uneven steps.
• Get regular exercise, including strength training, to increase your muscle mass.
• Install safety measures in your bathroom, such as grab bars, non-slip mats, and a walk-in tub.
• Consider taking a fall prevention class and learning balance exercises.

Taking a proactive approach to fall prevention is a significant step to reduce your fall risk and subsequent eye injury. If you sustain a fall, it's essential to seek medical treatment for evaluation to ensure you don't have any serious injuries.

If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.