Falling - The Hidden Dangers of Multifocals

Course overview

This two-hour technical spectacle course is designed to enhance the understanding of the relationship between multifocal eyewear and fall risk in older adults for dispensing opticians. Falls remain one of the leading causes of injury, hospitalization, loss of independence, and death among the elderly population. Dispensing opticians are uniquely positioned to recognize how spectacle design, lens selection, fitting characteristics, and patient education may influence mobility, depth perception, balance, and environmental awareness. The course will examine how bifocals, trifocals, and progressive addition lenses may contribute to increased fall risk through altered spatial perception, peripheral distortion, reduced contrast awareness, and compromised stair and obstacle detection. Participants will analyze current research regarding multifocal-related falls and evaluate strategies for reducing risk while still meeting the visual demands of elderly patients. Special emphasis will be placed on counseling and dispensing techniques designed to help patients understand the value of dedicated single vision distance eyewear for walking, stairs, outdoor use, and other mobility related activities. The course will further explore appropriate design characteristics for these mobility glasses, including frame selection, lens material considerations, fitting parameters, tint and contrast options, and practical dispensing recommendations. This course contributes to the advancement of professional skills by strengthening the ability to improve patient safety, enhance visual function, communicate more effectively with elderly patients, and provide evidence-based dispensing recommendations that may reduce fall-related injuries, thus contributing to enhancing the health, safety, and welfare of the citizenry.