Difficulty seeing stairs

[Susiepamela]

I am 58 years old with pigmentary dispersion Glaucoma diagnosed when I was 36. I use drops 5 times a day

Over the last 12 months or so, I have struggled to see steps/stairs/kerbs as I can't see the edges or judge the depth.

Is this linked to the Glaucoma or the eyedrops or I am just odd???

[Toby_from_London]

Hi Susie,

I'm obviously not able to make a medical diagnosis but I can say that I have exactly the same issue, as I have lost the vision in one eye due to late diagnosis of glaucoma, and no longer have any depth perception.

How often do you see your ophthalmologist? My diagnosis is fairly recent so I am still coming to terms with it, but it does make life difficult!

Take care and let us know how you get on🙂

[Susiepamela in reply to Toby_from_London]

Hi

I attend the hospital a couple of times a year. The depth perception and stairs etc is a new problem recently as I was fine for years after diagnosis of Glaucoma.

Hope you get on ok.

Best wishes

[Biosphere]

I have advanced glaucoma in both eyes and decided to give ip driving when I couldnt see the kerb. I do not regret the decision. It was my choice. It sounds like you need to speak to the consultant and have a visual fields test

[Derfahrer]

This started happening to me also, over the past couple of years. Pretty sure it is linked to glaucoma progression in my case. I find I have to really pay attention when going down stairs, especially if there is not a lot of contrast or the light is a bit low. Stepping off curbs at night is also a problem.

My doctors have always told me to contact them if I have any noticeable changes like this. If it were me I would try to schedule an appointment rather than wait for the next one to come around.

[Bellamolly60]

I was the same going to football and concerts

was a nightmare

[jesolo12]

Me too I've fallen twice now ..I find it worse at night in fact so I don't go out anymore at night..I also find fancy pavement colors difficult some go from light grey to dark grey and I'm not sure if it's a step..shadows too on the ground are confusing ..probably because it's the lower part like eg. 20 past and 20 to the hour that I don't see anymore.

[Susiepamela in reply to jesolo12]

I know exactly what you mean about fancy stairs. I also find it hard in the dark, I hate the winter months cos it's dark when I am going to and from bus stop for work, I have to walk really slowly and am very nervous.

[muddledme]

Yes, I have similar symptoms with distorted depth perception, more noticeable in the last year or two, probably following surgery.

Once I realised it was a problem I got a pot of white paint and marked the edge of some garden steps.Indoors our pale wooden stairs have now got wide non slip , black adhesive tape along the edges and other things in the garage or house gets marked if I think it is a trip hazard.

Sadly I find hazards everywhere, shops are sometimes trickey, even a car park to the virtual EYE clinic has a raised covered rubber strip across the entrance.

Our local Waterstones book shop has a very uneven floor, I often forget and stumble. When I asked the assistant he said there was a notice on the wall,but I tried to explain that I am not looking at the walls !

I try to watch the entrances to houses and shops carefully for hidden ridges or steps, but I have found that it is now such a habit, or obsession ,that it maybe a bit safer.

At night I have a large torch that I can hang around my neck and direct onto the ground. Motion sensitive lights in the garden are also useful.

Small plug in night lights and emergency plug in lights and torches use very little power and seem to last for years.

Best wishes