Keep Your Eyes Safe From Everyday Falls

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Your eyesight plays a bigger role in staying steady than you might realise. A loose rug or uneven step may be easy to navigate when you can see it clearly. But changes in vision can make everyday hazards harder to spot, particularly in dim lighting or unfamiliar surroundings.

Ageing can bring several changes to vision. Cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other eye conditions can develop gradually, sometimes without obvious symptoms in their early stages. Regular eye examinations can help identify changes that you may not notice yourself.

Lighting at home matters, too. Hallways, staircases, bathrooms, and entrances should be well lit, particularly if you regularly get up during the night. A night-light can make the route to the bathroom easier to see without requiring you to switch on bright overhead lighting.

Don’t overlook your glasses. If your prescription is outdated, even a relatively small change in vision can make reading steps, kerbs, or objects on the floor more difficult. Keep your glasses clean and make sure you’re using the appropriate pair for the activity.

Your surroundings can help compensate for changes in vision. Clear walkways, secure rugs, contrasting edges on steps, and easily accessible light switches can all make the home easier to navigate.

If you notice new blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, increasing sensitivity to glare, double vision, or sudden changes in your eyesight, arrange an assessment rather than simply adjusting to it.

Sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, or a sudden increase in flashes or floaters requires urgent medical attention.

Good vision also helps you recognise the obstacles around you and move through your home with confidence. Looking after your eyesight is therefore an important part of looking after your independence.