Single-Lens Distance Glasses Lower Risk for Falls in Active Older Wearers of Multifocal Glasses

Presbyopia results when the eye gradually loses the ability to focus on nearby objects. When near-sighted people (those who wear corrective lenses for distance vision) develop presbyopia, they must be prescribed either separate single-lens glasses for near and distance vision or multifocal glasses. Multifocal (bifocal, trifocal, and progressive lens) glasses, however, impair distance depth perception and raise risk for falls in older people (JW Gen Med Nov 5 2009).

In this randomized trial, 606 older (mean age, 80) regular wearers of multifocal glasses who were at elevated risk for falls (e.g., fall in previous year) received either usual care or single-lens distance glasses for use during walking and outside activities. The follow-up was 13…