People with peripheral vision loss have various difficulties with independent travel, depending on the degree of vision loss. Someone who has advanced peripheral loss may not be able to detect steps, curbs or other obstacles at all. Where as the person's central detail vision and reading vision may not be affected, their ability to move around safely is severely hampered. People with this type of vision loss also have difficulty crossing streets and detecting traffic. Maintaining orientation when walking is an issue because the person cannot see the surrounding area in order to keep track of their environment.
Low lighting can make independent travel even more difficult.
Orientation and Mobility training can be beneficial to people with peripheral vision loss. A white cane can be used to detect obstacles on the sides of the body as well as in front of the body when walking. Techniques can be taught to help a person learn to scan the surroundings with their remaining vision and as with other eye conditions, a person with peripheral vision loss can learn to listen for traffic to judge street crossings. People with visual field loss have various difficulties with independent travel depending on which part of the field is affected. A person with a field loss on the right side will have difficulty colliding with obstacles on their right side.