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Comment & Response
25, 2024

Methodological Concerns and Potential Confounding Factors

Author Affiliations
  • 1Eye College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
  • 2School of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China
JAMA Ophthalmol. Published online April 25, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2024.1027

To the Editor We read with great interest a recent study by Tsang et al titled “Risk of Falls and Fractures in Individuals With Cataract, Age-Related Macular Degeneration, or Glaucoma.”1 The study contributes valuable insights into the association between major eye diseases and the risk of falls and fractures. However, we have several methodological concerns and suggestions.

First, the study’s reliance on data from electronic health records, while comprehensive, may introduce selection bias. Patients who frequently visit health care facilities are more likely to have their falls and fractures recorded, potentially overestimating the risk associated with these eye conditions. Second, the study acknowledges the use of multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. However, the reader would benefit if the authors could provide greater detail regarding confounding factors, such as medications, comorbidities, and lifestyle choices that might affect falls, that were used for adjustment in the analysis models. The complexity of the association between eye diseases and falls or fractures is influenced by numerous factors, including medications, comorbidities, and lifestyle choices.2,3 Without a thorough understanding of these adjustments, the interpretation of the hazard ratios might be misleading.

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Article Information

Corresponding Author: Yuehua Zhou, MD, PhD, Eye College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 37, 12 Qiao Rd, Jinniu District, Chengdu City 610032, People’s Republic of China (yh06236677@163.com).

Published Online: April 25, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2024.1027

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None reported.

References
1.
Tsang  JY, Wright  A, Carr  MJ,  et al.  Risk of falls and fractures in individuals with cataract, age-related macular degeneration, or glaucoma.   JAMA Ophthalmol. 2024;142(2):96-106. doi:
2.
Dai  W, Tham  YC, Chee  ML,  et al.  Falls and recurrent falls among adults in a multi-ethnic Asian population: the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study.   Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):7575. doi:
3.
Keay  L, Ho  KC, Rogers  K,  et al.  The incidence of falls after first and second eye cataract surgery: a longitudinal cohort study.   Med J Aust. 2022;217(2):94-99. doi:
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