An observational study in Falls and Vision; Disorder, Loss, sponsored by University of Nottingham. Active, not recruiting at 1 site in United Kingdom. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-04-29.
Sponsored by University of Nottingham · Observational
Aims
This study aims to improve the way vision is checked and sight loss treated in older adults (65 years or older), who attend hospital following a fall.
Background
Falling is common in older adults. As the number of older people grows, the number of falls is expected to increase as well. Falling can affect a person's life in several ways: it can lead to pain, injuries, difficulty doing normal daily activities, weaker muscles, feeling isolated, losing independence and confidence, living in fear of falling, depression, difficulty in recovering from illnesses, developing other health problems more easily and a higher risk of death. Falls are a major health problem for the public and the United Kingdom (UK) spends more than £2 billion per year on caring for older adults who fall.
Problems with eyesight are also more common in older age and can have a similar effect on a person's independence, happiness and almost doubles their chances of falling. Sight loss in older age that is linked to falling is often treatable.
UK guidelines have been made to help prevent falls. These guidelines recommend checking for and treating sight loss in all older adults who attend hospital following a fall. However, this is only being done in a small number of hospitals. The reasons for this need to be investigated, in order to encourage and make it easier for health professionals to follow these guidelines.
Research has also shown that older adults, may be less likely to get their eyes tested regularly and attend hospital eye appointments. There are many reasons for this and vision screening whilst the patient is already receiving care in hospital, may be a good opportunity to address these issues. The views of the public are important for developing screening services that they understand and meets their needs. This study will gather the views of older people and their carers on hospital vision screening after a fall and the importance of looking after their eyes.
This study aims to improve the way vision is checked in older adults who attend hospital following a fall. This will help to identify and treat sight loss that may contribute to repeated falling. The study will combine the views of older adults and health professionals, to ensure that changes made meet patients' needs and are sustainable.
Design and methods
This study will have three parts:
University of Nottingham is the lead sponsor of 455 studies on the registry; 77 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Part one- Focus group study (with healthcare professionals):
Members of the acute multidisciplinary team who care for falls patients at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUHT) will be recruited.
Part two- Focus group study (with service users/ carers):
Current patients of NUHT or others recruited from the public, aged 65 or over who have had a fall. Carers of people aged 65 or over who have had a fall.
Part three- Intervention development using Delphi study:
Professionals with relevant knowledge and experience of falls assessments and management in hospitals for older people or the assessment and management of impaired vision in older people.
Part one- Focus group study (with healthcare professionals):
Part two- Focus group study (with service users/ carers):
Part three- Intervention development using Delphi study:
Exclusion Criteria:
Other: Focus group or interview participation
Other: Focus group or interview participation
Other: Delphi survey participation
90 minute focus group or 60 minute interview participation
Participation in a modified two-round Delphi technique. Optional third round in the event of insufficient agreement in the second round.
Percentage agreement on Delphi survey components
After each complete Delphi round, the percentage agreement of responses for each survey component will be calculated to help decide upon the subsequent Delphi survey items to be included. Or, if in the case of the final survey round, to help decide if a further round is required in the event of disagreement.
Time frame: Within 2 weeks of all Delphi round responses collected.
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in Apr 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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University of Nottingham