Published on: May 13, 2025
A recent study published in Innovation in Aging explores the link between vision difficulties and mortality risk among older adults, using longitudinal data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). The study reveals that older adults with self-reported vision problems are at higher risk of mortality, largely due to an increased risk of recurrent falls.
Lead author Shu Xu, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center and Population Studies Center, emphasized that while vision loss is a common issue among older adults, its connection to mortality risk needs further exploration. The study shows that vision impairment leads to more frequent falls, which in turn elevates mortality risk.
Impaired vision makes it harder to navigate environmental hazards, contributing to falls—two-thirds of which are the result of unintentional injuries, one of the leading causes of death in older adults.
These findings challenge a previous theory suggesting that vision impairment is a major fall risk factor only for older adults with dementia, as proposed by a study from Safiyyah Okoye et al. in NHATS. Xu’s team counters this, noting that visual impairment is a significant risk factor for falls among all older adults, not just those with cognitive decline. The study's six-year longitudinal design, paired with mediation analysis, provides stronger evidence for the relationship between vision loss and negative health outcomes.
Additionally, the study highlights how visual impairment can affect mental and physical health, leading to loss of independence, increased falls, mobility issues, and heightened anxiety about future falls. These compounded stressors can negatively impact both mental and physical health, affecting longevity.
The researchers advise caregivers and older adults with vision difficulties to be aware of fall risks and conduct thorough assessments of living environments to identify hazards and improve safety. Joshua Ehrlich, senior author of the study and associate professor of ophthalmology, suggested that strength and balance exercises could help prevent falls, promoting greater safety.
The study also calls for healthcare policies that improve access to eye care and fall prevention programs, which could help reduce mortality risks linked to vision loss. Recognizing fall risks is critical for caregivers and policymakers supporting America’s aging population.
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