The Salisbury Eye Evaluation Project was designed and carried out by the Wilmer Eye Institute as part of its broader mission to study and prevent eye diseases, particularly in aging populations. Spearheaded by Sheila West, Ph.D., Pharm.D., and featuring contributions by Oliver Schein, M.D., the findings quantified the risk of falls from visual field loss; mobility disability from both visual acuity and contrast sensitivity loss; and the role of compensatory strategies as a predictor of disability.

Conducted in Salisbury, Maryland, this study enrolled over 2,500 adults aged 65 and older, establishing one of the most comprehensive U.S. investigations into aging and vision. It was the first large-scale, population-based study of visual loss in nursing home populations and included training and education of family and staff to support medical and mobility concerns.