Asmal Optometrist News Feed

Most of the information we use when driving comes to us through the eyes, like the roads we travel on, road signs, pedestrians, and other vehicles. Our eyes control most of our movements and decisions while driving. All drivers must ensure that their eyes receive good care and attention, as poor eyesight becomes a safety hazard to yourself and other road users.

Even for drivers with 20/20 vision, navigating the roads can be challenging. That challenge becomes even more significant when your eyesight is poor, which can potentially reduce reaction time and lead to a car accident.

Improve Reaction Time

Good eyesight can improve reaction time — the amount of time it takes to respond to various circumstances, such as a vehicle ahead of you that makes a sudden stop.

Good vision helps you identify road hazards, read signs, and see your dashboard. For instance, a driver with poor eyesight might react slowly to a stop sign or an object blocking a roadway, and this can put a driver, passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians in harm’s way.

• Visual acuity: Determines how clearly you can see. Clarity of vision is measured when an optometrist asks you to read letters from an eye chart. Problems with visual acuity might lead to a heightened risk of auto accidents.
• Visual field: Refers to how wide an area your eyes can detect when you concentrate on one point. This is tested using flashing lights in a specialized eye care device.

Conditions That Might Cause Poor Vision Include:

• Myopia: Short-sightedness that makes it hard to read signs, perceive hazards, and see other road users and objects clearly from far away.
• Presbyopia: Age-related long-sightedness that makes it difficult to see objects up-close, like the map app on your smartphone or your dashboard.
• Macular degeneration: An incurable disease and the leading cause of vision loss in older individuals.
• Glaucoma: Damages the optic nerve and can narrow the field of vision or cause blindness.
• Diabetic retinopathy: Affects people with diabetes, harming both central and peripheral vision, potentially leading to blindness.
• Cataracts: Cloud the natural lens inside the eye, resulting in blurred vision, dulled colors, and increased light sensitivity.
• Dry eye: Caused by factors like computer use, contact lens wear, allergies, or air conditioning, leading to blurred vision and eye fatigue, especially at night.
• Blurred eyesight: Can result from drowsiness or dizziness associated with prescription or over-the-counter medications.

There’s no way around it: You need to have regular eye examinations to determine if your vision is fit for driving. This examination detects conditions that can affect your vision and possibly your reaction time on the road. While technology in vehicles has come a long way—going so far as to anticipate and react to drivers’ poor judgment—it is not a replacement for clear vision.

The good news: According to the World Health Organization, 80% of all visual impairments can be prevented, corrected, or cured. So, whether you prefer to drive, bike, or walk, seeing your optometrist for regular eye exams has the potential to keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear, making the roads safer for everyone.