Relationship between low visual acuity and nonfatal occupational same-level falls in Japanese female employees: a cohort study

Azusa Shima; Yuichiro Kawatsu; Miki Murakami; Ayumi Morino; Makoto Okawara; Keiki Hirashima; Naomi Miyamatsu; Yoshihisa Fujino

doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000003184

Relationship between low visual acuity and nonfatal occupational same-level falls in Japanese female employees: a cohort study

J Occup Environ Med. 2024 Jul 16. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003184. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Azusa Shima, Yuichiro Kawatsu, Miki Murakami¹, Ayumi Morino, Makoto Okawara², Keiki Hirashima², Naomi Miyamatsu³, Yoshihisa Fujino²

Affiliations

¹ Murakami Eye Clinic, Fukuoka, Japan.
² Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Fukuoka, Japan.
³ Department of Clinical Nursing, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan.

PMID: 39010281
DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003184

Abstract

Objective: The incidence of work-related falls on the same level is increasing, particularly among middle-aged and older female workers. Vision is an important risk factor of falls. We investigated whether objectively measured visual acuity was associated with the incidence of falls.

Methods: This cohort study included 7,317 female employees aged 20-69 in Japanese supermarket stores. Monocular acuity measured during health checkups was classified into 3 levels ( ≥0.7, 0.3-0.7, <0.3). Incidence rate ratios (IRR) of work-related falls within one year were estimated.

Results: IRRs were 1.26 (95%CI: 0.92-1.72) in the 0.3-0.7 group and 2.27 (95%CI: 1.15-4.48) in the <0.3 group.

Conclusions: Risk of work-related fall was higher in those with low visual acuity. Vision correction may contribute to fall prevention in workplaces.