Vision Problems facing by Senior Citizens while driving

As we get older, our driving abilities change, but that is normal.

Surya Eye Institute – Airoli and Mulund, lists down some warning signs of unsafe driving and how to adjust yourself with ageing.

How does age affect your driving?

Most of us think, that for us to have independence, driving is the key factor. While ageing, you can continue driving, keeping in mind the risk factors and incorporating certain safe driving practices. Even if you feel that you should reduce driving, it does not mean the end of your independence.

As we get older, factors such as decreased vision, development of cataracts or any other vision problems, can become a hindrance to driving.

Ageing is different in different individuals, so there is no cut off age limit, as to when one should reduce driving. It is more likely that older adults may face more accidents than younger drivers due to vision problems because of ageing.

Trouble in seeing while driving

Ageing has direct effect on your eyesight. It changes as you grow older. It becomes difficult to see people, things and movements clearly, as you age. Traffic signs, traffic lights or even familiar places are difficult to recognize. Especially, at night, you may experience trouble seeing things clearly. Depending upon the time of the day, it becomes extremely difficult to spot glares from the approaching headlights of the car or for that matter of the street lights. Eye diseases such as Glaucoma, Cataracts, Macular degeneration, restricts your driving.

Stay on top of your eye health

To keep yourself free from hassles of driving, regular eye check ups, are a must. If you are wearing lenses or glasses, make sure they are in proper condition.

Surya Eye Hospital, Airoli and Mulund, gives you proper advice on how ailments can affect your ability to drive. For e.g. if you have Glaucoma, tinted eye glares helps, to reduce glares, if you have cataract then surgery can significantly improve your driving.

Safety tips for older drivers by Surya Eye Hospital, Airoli and Mulund

When you age, it does not mean, you should stay totally away from driving. There are a lot of things you can do to continue driving. These include modifying your car, changing the way you drive and addressing any eye issues, that are restricting your driving.

So here are some safety tips recommended by us:

1. If you are 65 years or older, it is necessary to see your eye doctor, at least once in a year.
2. Make sure, your eye doctors prescription is up-to-date, if you are wearing glasses or contact lenses. This will help you to see far away, while driving.
3. If possible, stop driving or at least reduce driving at night, if you experience trouble seeing in the dark. Try avoiding driving during sunrise or sunset, as the glare of the sun can affect your vision, due to ageing.

Do visit, Surya Eye Hospital, Airoli and Mulund, Airoli being an independent centre with the latest technology, for more inputs and advice on how to drive safely while ageing.

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