Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Field of view confusion (self.Blind)
submitted by Drebin1349
I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa last year at the age of 23 which took me completely by surprise because I thought I could see fine mostly except that I have to wear glasses.
Apparently my Field of View is quite narrow but if I hold my hands straight out beside me I can see them no problem.
I can't understand how I can do that but have visual field tests claim that my vision is roughly 20 degrees.
On top of this I'm getting a cane in January which is a strange idea to me at the moment but I definitely need it for in the dark.
Apparently my Field of View is quite narrow but if I hold my hands straight out beside me I can see them no problem.
I can't understand how I can do that but have visual field tests claim that my vision is roughly 20 degrees.
On top of this I'm getting a cane in January which is a strange idea to me at the moment but I definitely need it for in the dark.
KillerLag 3 points 5y ago
RP causes damage to the rods, which effect peripheral vision. Which is why often the two primary symptoms are night blindness (rods are most sensitive to low light conditions) and peripheral loss (usually presents as bumping into things or not noticing things right by you).
There are a few possibilities about that. One, it is possible that you do have reduced fields but don't notice because when you hold your eyes out, you are unconsciously scanning with your eyes. When I do basic field tests for O&M assessments, I stare at the eyes to see if they flick to the sides to see the target. Two, your fields not be under 20 degrees but your doctor thought it was best to mark it down as 20 degrees, because that is the limit for legal blindness (20 degree field of view or less). Depending on where you are, that often makes you eligible for certain concessions, which might be why the doctor did it. Three, you may have field loss in an odd pattern (may be mostly lower field loss, or unusual amount of scatomas), and the doctor just rounded it up to 20 degrees to make it easier. The degrees isn't as accurate as you would think, and often not very clear cut, even with the chart in hand.
Often for RP, we do teach how to use the cane in low light conditions, and as vision gets worse, we can build on those skills during daytime as well. Good luck with the cane training! It may feel odd at first, but you do get used to it pretty fast. I always remind my clients that a cane is a tool to help you regain your independence, not to hold you back.
There are a few possibilities about that. One, it is possible that you do have reduced fields but don't notice because when you hold your eyes out, you are unconsciously scanning with your eyes. When I do basic field tests for O&M assessments, I stare at the eyes to see if they flick to the sides to see the target. Two, your fields not be under 20 degrees but your doctor thought it was best to mark it down as 20 degrees, because that is the limit for legal blindness (20 degree field of view or less). Depending on where you are, that often makes you eligible for certain concessions, which might be why the doctor did it. Three, you may have field loss in an odd pattern (may be mostly lower field loss, or unusual amount of scatomas), and the doctor just rounded it up to 20 degrees to make it easier. The degrees isn't as accurate as you would think, and often not very clear cut, even with the chart in hand.
Often for RP, we do teach how to use the cane in low light conditions, and as vision gets worse, we can build on those skills during daytime as well. Good luck with the cane training! It may feel odd at first, but you do get used to it pretty fast. I always remind my clients that a cane is a tool to help you regain your independence, not to hold you back.
Terry_Pie 2 points 5y ago
Yes to this.
I have RP and I scan big time. I have no peripheral vision left, but it's really hard for me to tell that on my own because I'm scanning like crazy. It's no perfect substitute for actual peripheral vision loss though and as your sight deteriorates, you'll notice that.
The last proper field of vision test I did was 2010 and I came back with about 6° of peripheral vision. I didn't start using a cane until much more recently though. I did mobility training in 2013, but even then it's only been since about 2015 that I've been responsible and used my cane (almost) everywhere. Certainly since the start of last year, if I'm going to do anything except my grocery shopping, I take my (full length, ball) cane with me.
I have RP and I scan big time. I have no peripheral vision left, but it's really hard for me to tell that on my own because I'm scanning like crazy. It's no perfect substitute for actual peripheral vision loss though and as your sight deteriorates, you'll notice that.
The last proper field of vision test I did was 2010 and I came back with about 6° of peripheral vision. I didn't start using a cane until much more recently though. I did mobility training in 2013, but even then it's only been since about 2015 that I've been responsible and used my cane (almost) everywhere. Certainly since the start of last year, if I'm going to do anything except my grocery shopping, I take my (full length, ball) cane with me.
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