Marked variation in vision checks carried out after falls

Vision checks carried out by falls teams across the UK vary in method and frequency, new research published by the College of Optometrists has found.

The Focus on Falls report is the result of 12 months of research to establish current provision of vision checks among falls services. The College said the majority of teams it interviewed and surveyed often lacked the capacity and resources to provide some form of eye exam, despite being keen to provide one.

NICE clinical guideline on falls recommends that multi-factorial assessments undertaken by falls services should include investigation of visual impairment.