Forty per cent of falls by elderly people could be prevented if they wore single-vision lenses rather than varifocals outside the home according to a new report.
The Australian study conducted by researchers from Sydney examined the effect on falls of providing single-vision glasses to multifocal spectacle wearers and was published in the British Medical Journal on May 25.
It examined 606 wearers of multifocal spectacles aged over 65 with a history of falls, half of whom were given single-vision glasses for going out and the other half were not. The single-vision wearers experienced 8 per cent fewer falls than the others and those that went outside regularly experienced 40 per cent fewer incidents.
The study concluded that provision of single-vision spectacles for older wearers of multifocal glasses is an effective strategy for the prevention of falls, but added that this may be harmful for those with low levels of outdoor activity.
The authors recommended that older people who spend a lot of time outside should switch between the two lens types despite the inconvenience.
Commenting on the study, Dr Susan Blakeney from the College of Optometrists told the BBC that the College welcomed the findings, but added that some people found it frustrating to have two pairs of glasses.
'We are pleased that the report highlights another factor that can be taken into account when deciding which type of lens is best for the individual person's needs,' she said.