See Your Step: When Failing Eyes Lead to Falling Feet
Mrs. R’s bathroom was beautiful. White tile, white walls, white tub — it was modern and chic and everything matched perfectly. But one morning, she misjudged the edge of the tub and stumbled hard, because she couldn’t tell where the floor ended and the step began. She caught herself, but the scare was enough.
Her balance wasn’t the problem. The problem was contrast. When everything blends together, our eyes struggle to send the right depth cues to our feet — and the risk of falling skyrockets.
Vision isn’t just about seeing clearly; it’s about orientation. Our eyes help us:
Judge how far down the next stair is.
Spot small trip hazards like cords or rugs.
Detect changes in surface, like a rug to hardwood.
As we age, clarity often fades — cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration make details harder to see. But even without those conditions, environments that lack contrast (like Mrs. R’s beige-on-beige bathroom) confuse our eyes. The result: a higher chance of missteps.
Simple Fixes That Make a Big Difference
Add Contrast Tape. Bright, non-slip tape on the edge of stairs or steps makes depth easier to judge. A dark strip along a light tub edge or shower threshold works wonders.
Layer in Lighting. Shadows hide hazards and glare distracts gazes. Use bright, evenly distributed light to sharpen outlines. (See blog: Shedding Light on Safety)
Check Your Glasses. Bifocals and progressives distort depth, especially on stairs. Ask your eye doctor about single-vision glasses for walking.
Use Color Strategically. Dark mats on light floors, light towels against dark counters — help the eyes separate objects.
Oh, and Mrs. R? Now that we’ve added a simple strip of dark tape along her tub edge and putting down a contrasting bath mat, she feels more confident in her bathroom. “No more guessing where to step when I’m done showering!”
Falls aren’t always about weakness or clumsiness. Sometimes, it’s what our eyes can’t see that creates the risk. With small adjustments, like contrast tape, the path forward becomes clearer — literally.
