Maintaining Good Vision for Driving as We Age

Driving is something that we may take for granted, but driving allows many of us to maintain our independence. Several factors affect our ability to drive well as we age, including vision. Although no one can stop aging, there are ways we can protect our eyes and maintain good vision for years to come. 

How do age-related changes in vision affect driving? 

As we get older, certain changes occur in the eyes. Some changes are considered normal. For example, as we age, the lens in the eye becomes less flexible. This leads to a condition called presbyopia, which makes it more difficult to see things close up.

The ability to see well at night also tends to decrease with age. Certain other eye conditions, such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, are more likely to develop as we get older. These conditions can affect visual acuity and eventually lead to vision loss.

A decrease in vision or problems with the eyes may cause the following problems on the road:

• Difficulty judging speed and distance
• Trouble seeing at night
• Inability to see road signs clearly
• Problems adapting to sunlight or oncoming headlights
• Loss of side vision 

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Good-vision tips and driving suggestions 

Some naturally occurring changes to the eyes may not be preventable. But not all age-related eye problems are inevitable. There are steps you can take and strategies to maintain the good vision necessary to drive safely throughout your life. 

Get regular eye exams: One of the best ways to maintain good eye health is to have regular eye exams. Your eye doctor can diagnose certain eye problems before you even develop symptoms. Early diagnosis sometimes helps slow the progression of a condition and prevent vision loss.

Know where you are going: If you are unsure of the driving directions, you are more likely to become distracted. Distracted driving at any age is dangerous. Check the directions before you leave, so you are not fumbling with your phone on the road. Always use hands-free navigation for directions.

Treat medical conditions: Untreated medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, can lead to problems with the eyes. Treating underlying medical conditions may prevent vision complications that can threaten your ability to drive.

Reduce your speed: Driving too fast is a bad idea for anyone, but if you are having problems adjusting to glare, slowing down is helpful. Allow yourself extra time to get where you are going. 

Take a senior driving course: Community centers, hospitals, and the American Association of Retired Persons offer senior driving courses. The courses help adults learn to recognize and compensate for any physical changes that may occur as you age that affect driving.

Protect your eyes: Maintaining good vision and healthy eyes is vital as you age. Healthy lifestyle choices can help. For instance, avoid too much UV exposure, which can increase your risk of certain eye problems, such as cataracts. Avoid smoking, which may damage the vessels in the eyes. Eat healthily, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly.

Take extra precautions at intersections: Intersections are one of the top sites for car accidents. Be aware of street signs, such as when you must yield. As we age, side vision may decrease, which can affect driving. Compensate by frequently scanning the road and looking in both directions carefully before heading into the intersection.

Know your limits: As much as we want to maintain our independence, it is essential to be honest with ourselves. Know what your limits are. For example, if you have trouble seeing at night, it might be time to limit driving to daytime. Accepting certain limitations may help prevent accidents on the road.

We hope the tips above help you maintain safe driving for years to come. If you have any questions about vision as you age, we are happy to help. Also, if you would like to talk about whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.