Ophthalmologists should look for signs of elder abuse when treating older patients
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SAN FRANCISCO — Ophthalmologists must be aware of signs that indicate elder abuse in older patients, according to a speaker here.
Elder abuse is predicted to affect approximately 5% to 15% of community-dwelling older adults and was also found to have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, Suzann Pershing, MD, MS, said in a presentation at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting.
“When I found this statistic, it was quite sobering. It makes it very likely that most of us do indeed see patients who are subjected to some form of elder abuse,” Pershing said.
The increase in elder abuse during the pandemic encompassed mistreatment including neglect, abandonment, physical, sexual and verbal abuse and financial exploitation. While detecting indicators of abuse as an ophthalmologist can be difficult, physicians can look for warning signs, Pershing explained.
These warning sings can include unexplained or frequent injuries and subconjunctival, vitreous or retinal hemorrhages with an atypical presentation. Large bruises, particularly on the face, lateral arm, neck and ears can also indicate abuse, Pershing said.
Delays between the onset of illness or injury and the seeking of care, recurrent visits for similar injuries and conflicting accounts of events from the patients and caregivers may also be indicators, she explained. Only reasonable suspicion is needed to report cases of possible abuse. Pershing cited Adult Protective Services and support from a social worker tied to a health care institution as possible resources for aiding victims of elder abuse.
“[Adult Protective Services] do need permission from the adult, in most cases the patient, to provide services and reporting is often anonymous and confidential,” she said.
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Pershing S. Elder abuse in ophthalmic patients. Presented at: American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting; Nov. 3-6, 2023; San Francisco.
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