Table 2

Postoperative non-fallers (n=76); comparison of risk factor status between the preoperative fallers and the preoperative non-fallers

CharacteristicPreop non-fallers n=51Preop fallers n=25
First eye = no previous cataract surgery.
*p=0.012, **p=0.022, ***p=0.058, ****p=0.012, χ2 used for all.
Demography
Mean (SD) age (years)79.8 (5.8)76.4 (4.3)*
Female34 (67%)13 (52%)
Domicile
Own home45 (88%)22 (88%)
Warden controlled flat 5 (10%) 1 (4%)
Nursing home 1 (2%) 2 (8%)
Co-resident
Lives alone22 (43%) 6 (24%)
Able bodied spouse22 (43%)12 (48%)
Not able bodied spouse 2 (4%) 4 (16%)
Other able bodied relative 4 (8%) 1 (4%)
Nursing home 1 (2%) 2 (8%)
Amenities
Bed upstairs23 (45%)16 (64%)
Toilet upstairs21 (41%)15 (60%)
Working lift 6 (12%) 4 (16%)
Appliances 7 (14%)10 (40%)**
Medications
More than 4 meds12 (24%)12 (48%)***
Benzodiazepines 4 (8%) 1 (4%)
Eye drops 8 (16%) 4 (16%)
Falls during preceding year 9 (18%)12 (48%)****
AMT score (mean) 9.80 9.72
Mobility score (mean) 5.0 5.0
Nocturia28 (55%)14 (56%)
Environmental risk factors
Steps29 (57%)13 (52%)
Stairs27 (53%)17 (68%)
Rugs15 (29%) 7 (28%)
Frequent bending19 (37%)10 (40%)
Ophthalmic examination
First eye50 (98%)24 (96%)
Preop best eye acuity
    ≥6/1841 (80%)20 (80%)
    6/24–3/6010 (20%) 5 (20%)
    >3/60 0 0