Gender Differences and the Risk of Falls in Individuals with Profound Vision Loss (Research Reports) (Report‪)‬

Individuals with visual impairments must place a greater demand on somatosensory (the ability of the somatic senses to detect body position and maintain an upright and stable stance) and vestibular (the ability of the sensory system of the inner ear to detect rotation and acceleration to maintain a stable and up-right stance) information to establish patterns of movement when positions in space are compromised by the lack of vision or by minimal vision (Horvat, Ray, Ramsey, Miszko, Keeney, & Blasch, 2003) Previous data from the University of Texas Arlington Postural Control Laboratory indicated that vision loss results in reduced postural control (Ray, Horvat, Croce, Mason, & Wolf, 2008). The movement of individuals with visual impairments depends on the use of sensory information other than vision to initiate changes in the center of gravity and base of support prior to a movement. Although most individuals require vision to maintain postural stability, others can maintain an upright position accurately without visual information (Williams, 1983). However, balance with vision is more efficient and skillful than balance without vision, especially in changing conditions (Williams, 1983). Common problems that are associated with visual impairments are the use of other sensory and vestibular information to establish and connect movement patterns and to adjust to positions in space (Spirduso, 1995). Standing balance is diminished because the loss of vision affects the vestibular system via the lack of visual feedback (Judge, Davis, & Ounpuu, 1996; Maeda, Nakamura, Otomo, Higuchi, & Motohashi, 1998).