Eye spy: drivers urged to get regular eye checks

Confused.com’s Owe Carter echoes the importance of regular eye tests for over 55s, in light of a recent study and its implications for road safety.

The AA have recently been urging motorists who are over 55 to get regular eye checks, and not to withhold information concerning any deterioration in their sight from their optician.

A study by Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK and backed by The AA found that almost half of motorists over 55 won’t bring up the issue of failing eyesight when going for a check-up. The study found that signs of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) – which is likely to be the leading cause of blindness in the UK – were at risk of being ignored, as people shrug them off as “just a part of growing older”.

According to their figures, just over half of the over-55-year olds questioned drove every day, and yet 45 per cent admitted to not discussing eyesight problems in relation to their driving with their optician. Plus 62 per cent didn’t really know much about AMD.

According to The AA's Head of Road Safety, Andrew Howard: "This study reveals an alarming risk to the safety of people on the roads. It is vital that drivers over 55 years understand the symptoms of AMD, go for regular eye checks and discuss driving with their opticians."

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), who also backed the study, has lots of useful information about AMD on its website, including causes, symptoms and treatments.

And obviously, it’s not just the over 55s who should ensure they’re getting regular check-ups. A study conducted last year found that a significant number of those between 35 and 55 also put off going to the optician. The implications for road safety are obvious, but it strikes me as daft that people wouldn’t take their eyesight seriously – motorists or not.

Forty-three per cent of the respondents of that particular study said they were put off potentially getting glasses because it would make them “feel older” – which is as striking a case of cutting off your nose to spite your face as you’re likely to get.

Comments

[I do not want my name displayed as I am retired]

Hi

I had regular eye tests and within a year my eyes went from good to needing urgent cataract surgery on both eyes. I was astounded at the difference and can only only concur with the comments made above. As a retired Insurance Assessor for a leading UK Insurer I have some experience of what can happen.

I feel the minimum requirements to pass an eye test should be stricter. After having my eye surgery I was tested again and shown what state I was in beforehand and I must say I was horrified I was still legal to drive.

For the record I was a Fellow of the Institute Of Automotive Engineer Assessors