Prevent falls by looking after your spectacles

According to a report published this month by the Royal College of Physicians, there are more than 240,000 reported falls in hospitals in England and Wales every year. Consequences include hip fractures (more than 3000 every year) and serious head injuries, often complicated by long hospital stays, and even death. The risk is highest among those aged over 65.

The College says that much more needs to be done to reduce the toll of injury that results, and has produced a 12 point guide for prevention.

Vision problems are among key preventable contributing factors targeted by the report: such as not having an up-to-date pair of spectacles, not having them to hand when needed, and not keeping the lenses clean.