A large review of data from 2,456 adults found that people with peripheral visual field loss (PVFL) have poorer balance compared to healthy individuals. This condition is often seen in patients with glaucoma or retinitis pigmentosa. The study looked at how the body uses different senses to stay upright.
The findings show that when vision is limited, the body relies more on somatosensory input—information from touch and body position—while using less information from the visual system. Specifically, a greater loss of peripheral vision was linked to a poorer sensory strategy for maintaining balance.
While the study showed clear links between vision loss and sensory strategies, the results regarding motor strategies were not conclusive. Because these findings come from an observational meta-analysis, they show a link rather than a direct cause. These results suggest that patients with vision loss may need specific training focused on touch and movement rather than general exercise.
