It’s true that you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. We take our ability to drive for granted, until we lose it. Driving isn’t just getting from one place to another faster; being mobile and in control of your mobility is an important part of maintaining your independence. Driving provides a sense of freedom as well as convenience, and taking this away makes you dependent on others for daily tasks like grocery shopping, making appointments, or visiting friends and family. Many people who suffer from low vision have lost their ability to drive. But low vision doesn’t mean no driving. On the contrary, maintaining the ability to drive and the independence it represents is available with the help of special driving aids.
CAUSES
Low vision is a reduced level of vision that cannot be fully corrected with conventional glasses or contact lenses. Unlike a person who is legally blind (which means that your best seeing eye cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses to any better than 20/200), a person with low vision has some useful sight. Although low vision can occur at any stage in life, it primarily affects the elderly, but is not a natural part of aging, unlike presbyopia, which is a naturally occurring, irreversible, but easily correctible vision deterioration. The causes of low vision are eye diseases such as macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, optic nerve atrophy, retinal detachment, and vision loss due to stroke.
SYMPTOMS
Many people who suffer from reduced vision develop lower contrast sensitivity, which impairs their ability to separate objects from a background. This can make it difficult for a driver spot road signs, curbs, or other objects on the road. In addition to trouble with driving, people with low vision may suffer from: sensitivity to glare; poor night vision; blurred distance; trouble differentiating between colours; difficulty reading small print; or difficulty performing daily activities such as walking, cooking, cleaning, or watching television. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, even if you already wear glasses or contact lenses, you should visit your local eye-care expert right away to be re-tested.
TREATMENT
Low vision cannot be fully corrected, but there are a wide array of devices to help people with low vision. And the earlier low vision is recognized, the more effective the treatment will be. One low vision aid for driving is tinted lenses, which can greatly alleviate contrast problems and reduce glare. Another aid is bioptic telescopic glasses, which have a telescope mounted just above the line of sight over one or both eyes and allow you as the driver to see small objects and safely operate your vehicle. Other low vision aids for non-driving purposes include special magnifying glasses, reading telescopes, magnification computer software, and large print reading materials.
GOOD JUDGMENT
Please note that even with driving aids, if you are a driver with low vision you must take responsibility and exercise good judgment in determining whether you should continue to drive, or decide to drive under stressful, unsafe or less than optimal circumstances (e.g. at night, or driving someone else’s car). The decision to drive, or continue driving, is a personal one that must be made in collaboration with your optometrist.
At iSight Optometry, we are dedicated to providing the best possible eye care to suit everyone’s individual needs. We use advanced techniques to provide comprehensive testing, diagnosis, and treatment options for everything to do with your vision and eye health. Take care of your eyes; they’re looking out for you. Contact us today to book your next appointment.