This link discusses the article from the Archives of Ophthalmology that shows that walking and a vision impairment in older adults increases risk. But, does not complete the thought and suggest that older adults can be spared these risks if they were to obtain a cane and O&M instruction.
Link describes a similar study with the following paragraph pointing to activities that, given O&M instruction, these adults would have been able to do – but again – no mention was made of the therapy that could have perhaps lengthened these 1272 lives. or at least given a higher quality of life to!
They found that 13 years after the study started, 1,273 of the participants had died, and that those with vision problems were more likely to die.
Using a statistical technique known as structural equation modeling pathway analysis, or SEM, the researchers found stronger links between visual impairment and mortality risk than when they used Cox regression, a more commonly used statistical method.
They also used SEM to determine which of the confounders, such as depression, falls, or difficulty walking, might play an important role.
SEM revealed that patients under the age of 75 with noncorrectable visual impairment had mortality risk more than four times higher than unimpaired subjects (95% CI 1.97 to 14.01), with both direct (HR 2.16; 95% CI, 1.11 to 4.23) and indirect (HR 95% CI 1.17 to 5.03) effects.
“Of mortality risk markers examined, only disability in walking demonstrated a significant indirect pathway for the link between visual impairment and mortality,” they wrote.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Ophthalmology/GeneralOphthalmology/16394
The researchers added that people who have difficulty walking [due to a vision impairment] may be less likely to visit a doctor regularly, or to get prescriptions for important medications filled. They also may have a poorer diet, be less likely to exercise, be socially isolated, and be less likely to seek urgent help
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