Active not recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Vision Screening in Hospitals for Older Adults Following a Fall

Falling is common for older people and can greatly affect their lives, leading to pain, injury, and loss of independence. Poor eyesight can nearly double the chance of falling and is often treatable. National guidelines recommend checking eyesight for all older people who come to hospital after a fall, but this often doesn't happen. This study wants to understand why, and how to make it easier for hospitals to do these checks. Researchers will talk to healthcare staff, older patients, and their carers to develop new, effective ways to check vision in hospitals. Ultimately, this aims to identify and treat sight problems that contribute to falls, helping older people stay safer and more independent.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Sponsor

University of Nottingham

Enrolment target

105

Start

01 Feb 2025

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2027

Falls Vision; Disorder, Loss

What is this study about?

This study is looking at how hospitals can better check and treat eyesight problems in older people aged 65 and over, especially after they've had a fall. Falls are a big problem for older people and can cause many difficulties, like pain, injuries, and making it harder to do everyday activities. They can also lead to people feeling isolated, losing their independence and confidence, and even affecting their general health. The UK spends a lot of money each year looking after older people who have fallen.

Poor eyesight is also very common as we get older, and it can significantly increase the chances of someone falling. What's more, many of the eyesight problems linked to falls can actually be treated! While there are national guidelines that say hospitals should check for and treat vision problems in older adults who come in after a fall, this isn't happening in many places. This study wants to find out why this is and how to make it simpler for hospitals and their staff to follow these important guidelines.

Researchers believe that checking eyesight while someone is already in hospital for a fall could be a really good opportunity. They want to hear from older people and their carers about what they think about hospital vision checks and why taking care of their eyes is important. The study will bring together the ideas and experiences of both older patients and healthcare professionals. This way, any new ways of checking vision developed will be practical, meet patients' needs, and help prevent future falls by spotting and treating eyesight issues early.

Key takeaways

The study aims to improve vision checks for older people in hospitals after a fall.
Falls are common in older adults and good eyesight can help prevent them.
Current guidelines for vision checks after falls are not always followed.
The study will gather insights from both patients and healthcare staff.
Participation involves sharing experiences in discussions or surveys.
The goal is to develop better, lasting ways to manage vision and reduce falls.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you generally need to be aged 18 or over. This study has a few different parts, so the exact requirements depend on which part you might be involved in.

If you are a healthcare professional at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and your job involves looking after older patients who have fallen, you might be asked to join a discussion group. If you are an older adult aged 65 or over who has been to A&E (Accident and Emergency) because of a fall, or you care for someone in that situation, you might be asked to join a different discussion group.

Finally, if you have good knowledge and experience of how falls and eyesight problems are dealt with in hospitals for older people, you could be invited to take part in a survey process to help develop new ways of working. People who cannot clearly understand and agree to take part, or who haven't sought hospital care after a fall, won't be able to join the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
If you're a patient or carer, are you aged 65 or over?
If you're a patient or carer, have you or the person you care for been to A&E due to a fall?
If you're a healthcare professional, do you work in fall assessments or care for older patients who fall?
Are you able to understand the study and agree to take part voluntarily?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study doesn't involve new medicines or treatments. Instead, it involves sharing your thoughts and experiences. There are three main ways you could take part:

1. You might be invited to a 'focus group' discussion (like a group chat) with other healthcare professionals. In this group, you'd talk about how vision is currently checked for patients who have fallen. 2. Another focus group would involve older adults who have had a fall and their carers. Here, you'd share your views on looking after your eyes and what you think about vision checks in hospitals. 3. The third part involves helping to create new ways to check and treat eyesight problems. This would likely be through a 'Delphi survey', which is a way of getting experts' opinions through a series of questionnaires, to reach an agreement on the best approach.

The discussions and surveys will help researchers understand current practices and develop better solutions. The exact number of sessions or time commitment would depend on which part of the study you join.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no known medical risks involved in taking part in this study, as it only involves sharing your thoughts and experiences. The potential benefits include helping to improve how hospitals check and treat eyesight in older people, which could lead to better care and fewer falls for others in the future. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your care in any way.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Verified postcode
Nottingham, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is a 'focus group'?

A focus group is a small discussion group where you and a few other people can share your thoughts and experiences on a specific topic with a researcher.

What is a 'Delphi survey'?

A Delphi survey is a way for experts to share their opinions anonymously through a series of questionnaires, helping to reach a common point of view on a topic.

Will my information be kept private?

Yes, any information you share will be treated confidentially and your identity will be protected.

Do I need to change my current medical care if I join?

No, taking part in this study will not affect your current medical care or treatments in any way.

Who is funding this study?

The study aims to improve public health and is focused on improving care pathways in hospitals.