# Does eyesight affect your Ataxia?
**URL:** https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/does-eyesight-affect-your-ataxia/8311
**Category:** General
**Created:** [March 13, 2021, 8:35pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/does-eyesight-affect-your-ataxia/8311 "2021-03-13T20:35:01Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Chas521](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Chas521)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2021, 8:35pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/does-eyesight-affect-your-ataxia/8311/1 "2021-03-13T20:35:01Z")
I am now 74. Will be 75 in May. I was adjusting to my Ataxia symptoms quite well. Early in 2020 I took a fall and Sciatica developed in my right leg that went from my knee all the way down to my foot. To say I was in pain would be an understatement. Doing anything such as shaving or taking a shower was a battle. Everything in the bathroom!!! Every room! Took five months to go away while doing the proper exercises.
The reason that I bring this up is that my balance and equilibrium also took a beating. Worse than before. Plus my eyesight has gotten somewhat worse. Anyway, although the pain is now gone [thank goodness] my balance is still worse. My eyesight has not recovered so I have to think that my eyes are playing a very important part in my balance.
What is your experience?
Question 2: My balance and equilibrium is much worse after lying down for awhile then standing up. Same for sitting awhile.
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### Author:  [@Beryl\_Park](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Beryl_Park)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2021, 11:01am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/does-eyesight-affect-your-ataxia/8311/2 "2021-03-14T11:01:57Z")
I’ve tried lying on the floor to do stretches, this was to bring some relief to leg pain. It was a struggle to get down, and lying flat brings nausea on, but it settled after a minute or so. Getting back up had to be done very slowly because nausea and dizziness kicked in…but stretching does help give pain relief 🙂
My eye problems definitely make coping with ataxia worse, it’s frustrating and disorientating.