If you think it’ll help you, use it. There’s no rule that your vision has to be at a certain point before you can use mobility tools.

Honestly I’d just jump to the long cane. I had a guide cane but found I was using it for mobility at night and in crowds rather than just checking out kerbs etc so switched over. Best decision ever - I’m the same as you in terms of VA and reduced field. You don’t realise how helpful a cane is in some situations until you use it.

the "no longer able to drive" makes me think your vision might be getting worse. If that's the case, it's definitely worth picking up blindness skills ahead of time. Even if not, I think having a cane would be useful. Along with helping you get around, it also identifies you to other people so they don't assume you can see things you can't.

What would be wrong with using one? If it prevents accidents or makes you more comfortable who is to tell you no. Maybe a jerk? But honestly there’s no laws and rules against it. As long as you are not a sighted person faking blindness you should be fine. And don’t worry about what other pricks have to say about how you shouldn’t use one. If people judge that’s their problem and not yours.

You and I are almost identical. I'm 20/ 80 and 20/400.

I basically only have vision in one eye. I can not drive, and I can still get around comfortably well during the day, but night is a huge hassle.

I started Orientation and Mobility training in January of this year. I now have my own cane from Association for the Blind.

I would recommend to start looking into cabe training at the very least, that way you know how to use it when you need it. I can say after 6 months of me using one, it has come in handy many times. I feel a lot more confident when using it. Side note: my best friend loves when I use my cane in crowded areas because people magically get out the way.

I'm in SC and I've got Association for the Blind in my area. You can also look into Commission for the Blind, which is government funded. I have had mixed feelings with them, but it is at least a start.

Good luck and I wish you the best!

The short answer is yes.

Here's an in-depth answer to your question -

https://quicklygoingblind.blogspot.com/2022/03/how-blind-is-blind.html

Absolutely!! I’m glad that you want to start using it!

There are no cane police. You can use one if it helps :) completely up to you

If you think it'll hellp, go ahead and use it. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Personally, I think a long, white cane would do better. Depending on which cane you get determines on the amount of tactile feedback you receive. I suggest you try getting in touch with the vocational rehabilitation service in your area and see if they can hook you up with an orientation and mobility instructor who can fit you with the right cane and teach you how to use it. Also, attending a cocational rehabilitation center will help too.

Best of luck.

You can use a mobility cane (heavier/more durable for more constant use) or an ID cane (thinner and lighter for identifying objects or measuring curbs as needed) and take orientation and mobility courses to learn how to use it properly at any time, if it will help you trip less and be safer then by all means use it!

If you think using a cane might help you, try out using a cane. If you try it out and realize that using a cane does, in fact, help you, use a cane.

I'll get this out of the way - this is really hard to read because I'm in pretty much the same boat and have been putting off this decision because it really sucks having to admit new limitations as my vision gets worse.

The real stuff: Others have mentioned getting started on mobility training. In the meantime you can look into getting an ID cane. They're not meant for guidance but as the name implies, it lets other know you've got a hard time seeing. You'll be like Moses in a see of people with that thing. It also makes it easier to ask for help, folks see the cane and you don't have to explain anything. It gets you used to the idea of having a cane while you get ready to make a move towards the next step.

hello, have you tried with other devices different from the cane? In recent days I read about a new device called ara. this Device allows you greater mobility and fewer accidents due to objects above your head. If you want, I'll send you the link.