（BBC  2010年5月26日  中国护理网翻译）

Many falls could be prevented if older people do not wear varifocal glasses while out and about, a study in the British Medical Journal suggests.

英国医学杂志的研究显示，老年人户外活动时不带眼镜，可以避免摔倒。

Falls are a leading cause of death and disability in the elderly, but the research says 40% could be prevented if single-lens glasses were worn outside.

摔倒是导致老年人残疾和死亡的主要原因之一，但是研究显示如果佩戴单镜眼镜，40%的摔倒是可以避免的

Varifocal lenses are widely prescribed as they correct problems seeing both near and far in one pair of glasses.

老花镜被普遍认为是矫正视力的工具。

But the Australian study says they may create problems impairing balance.

但是澳大利亚的研究显示带老花镜可能会损害平衡感。

This risk of falling over while wearing varifocals, also called multifocals or progressives, has been studied before, particularly when going up and downstairs or walking outside.

佩戴老花镜带来摔倒的风险也叫多焦度或进行性疾病，以前也研究过，特别是当上下楼梯和外出时特别严重。

But this risk has to be offset against their benefits when it comes to carrying out tasks that require changes in focal lengths, like driving, shopping and cooking.

但是，当执行任务需要改变焦距时如驾驶、购物和做饭，老花镜的风险抵消了其好处，。

Two pairs

双镜眼镜

Researchers from Sydney, Australia recruited more than 600 people aged either over 80 or over 65 with a history of falls. All of them used varifocals and not single lens glasses, and wore them outside at least three times a week.