Visibility Vol 10 Issue 1 & 2, 2016

The health implications of a fall for the elderly can be quite severe. With an aging population, the potential occurrence of a fall is likely to increase. Although, the cause of a fall is often multifactorial, there is evidence that there is an increased risk of a fall associated with vision impairments. A multidisciplinary Mobility and Falls Prevention clinic is described and the optometrist’s role in fall prevention through routine assessments and interventions and introduction of low vision rehabilitation options is defined. This paper will help low vision rehabilitation professionals identify individuals at risk of mobility concerns, identify those mobility issues related to a visual impairment, and outline the necessary vision tools and information to help prevent future falls.

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