My father is 90 yrs old, still alert, active, and avid reader. Two days ago, he started having depth perception issues. He can see the counter, or doorway, yet will walk into them. He's frightening himself with this new issue. He has banged his knee, hands, elbow. He is familiar with his home and its layout, yet cannot distinguish the doorways, counters or hallway. Could this be vision-based or neurological?
Old people fall and get back up. Sometimes they break a hip. Bad news. But sometimes a little bump on the head is forgotten afterwards. That goose egg goes away. Then weird things can happen days or weeks later.
But that isn't all doom and gloom really. This type of thing doesn't signal the beginning of the end. Never look for the rarest disorder if a more common disorder hasn't been ruled out first is how I regard this stuff.
As mentioned above, get medically assessed.
In addition, I would ensure that he is not left alone, when walking around.
He would benefit from a walking stick or a cane.
Gena / Touch Matters
I have had this phenomenon my entire life when I am having ear problems.
I have always had depth perception challenges until I got glasses.
Two different causes for me walking into stuff.
In the meantime, you may purchase neon-colored tape; using each color to highlight the edges of countertops, cabinets & any other areas he may bump into….see how that works but be sure to continue to seek help
Due to visual field problems caused by Glaucoma and other eye disease it is not uncommon for the edge of one's vision to be impaired. At an early stage the patient frequently does not notice the defect. It is called a silent disease. Please be hopeful because there is tremendous medical help and cutting-edge science that can slow the progress of many eye dieses. If you rule out eye disease stay on course for a full medical work up to investigate other causes. I wish you and your dad the very best,
But I agree with others that he needs to have testing to narrow down the possibilities of causes.
I would contact an eye DOCTOR (an Ophthalmologist NOT an Optometrist)
right away or a trip to Urgent Care (they would probably send you to the ER though.
Good luck with your followup here.