Frequency of falls and quality of life in individuals with cataract diagnosis

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of falls and quality of life of individuals diagnosed with cataract. Materials and Methods: The study is in analytical cross-sectional type. 215 patients were enrolled with this research in a university hospital in the western part of Turkey presented with surgery or controlling of cataract surgery. Data was collected by using personal information form, National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ 25), Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I), Itaki Fall Risk Scale and SF-12 scale. Descriptive statistics, Kruskall Wallis test, Mann Whitney U, chi-square and Spearman correlation analysis were used for data analysis. Findings: It was found that the NEI-VFQ 25 scale scores were higher than the sub-dimensions and SF-12 physical (41,48±6,37) and mental (44,95±6,50) summary scores were lower in the participants. It was seen that 27.4% of the research group had fallen before, 64,4% had fallen in one year and six years and the average fall was 1,81 ± 1,40. According to the Katz (95,3%) and Lawton (82,8%) ADL scales, it was determined that 65.5% of the patients had low levels of physical activity and the risk of falling according to FES-I was 34.9%. 80% of the group has a high risk of falling compared to Itaki. There was a statistically significant difference between NEI-VFQ 25 scale and Katz and Lawton ADI scores (p<0,05). The scores of independent patients are higher. There was a negative correlation between NEI-VFQ 25 and SF-12 and FES-I and Itaki scores (p <0,05). Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was found that cataract did not affect visual quality of life of patients but decreased overall quality of life. The fall rate of the patients was found to be low. Patients with low physical activity, semi-dependent and high risk of falls were found to have a high history of falls. It is recommended to take measures to improve the quality of life and reduce the risk of falling.