Foot Safety and Low Vision
February is National Low Vision Awareness Month. As part of our observance, we’re spreading the word about how challenges in a person’s vision can affect their foot health and what they can do to keep themselves safe. Podiatrists spend a lot of time treating people with diabetes, who are at higher risk of developing vision problems. For that reason, we want to discuss how people with low vision can inspect their feet for signs of damage and what they should desire in a shoe, as well as how they can reduce their risk of incurring an injury.
Checking for Damage
Typically, people with diabetes or pre-diabetes are advised to do daily visual inspections of their feet for injuries, redness, or swelling. People with low vision have to rely more on their sense of touch. Podiatrists advise inspecting the feet systematically, starting with the edge of the big toe along its nail, working down it, then to the space between it and the next toe. Once a person has used the pads of their thumb and fingers to inspect each toe and the space between them, they may glide their fingers over the rest of the foot in search of rough or sore spots. They may also want to try pressing the backs of their hands against the tops and bottoms of their feet, as that area tends to be more sensitive to heat. (Elevated temperature in a small area could be related to an infection.)
Shoes for Better Protection
Our sense of balance is largely informed by visual information. People with low vision are at much greater risk of falls, and not just because they may trip on something. To counter this, it is a good idea to wear shoes that have grip on the bottoms and provide arch support. A shoe that is supportive will bend in the toe area like the foot does, not in the middle. The back of the shoe surrounding the heel should be sturdy. The shoe shouldn’t slide the foot forward, and it shouldn’t pinch the toes enough to force them to fold over each other.
Many podiatry offices also offer to provide patients with customized orthotics. These shoe inserts can improve the support for a person with failing arches or plantar fasciitis without requiring them to replace all of their footwear, assuming that the shoes are otherwise in good order. Remember, shoes need to be replaced once they wear down. If the heel is uneven, that shoe is not in shape for use.
Environmental Changes to Reduce Risk
People with low vision need to be especially mindful that the common walkways in their homes are clear, but there are some ways they can make that easier on themselves. One of these is to use non-slip pads or sticky tape under rugs and carpet corners. Another good idea is to use anti-slip tape on the edges of stairs to make them more visible. Keeping areas well-lit is also important. Making lights motion-controlled or voice-activated can help with this, as can programming them with timers.
People in cold areas in the winter are especially cautious during February. But while we should be wary of slipping on ice, regular exercise is necessary for keeping our lower limbs strong enough to remain stable. Additionally, getting sunlight helps maintain bone density. Preventive foot care is vital for everybody, including people with low vision, and that means remaining active.