Older Drivers: How To Improve Your Eyesight At Night
If you are an older driver you may find driving at night time is or is becoming a problem. You may find it difficult noticing and reacting quickly to unforeseen events, and this can especially happen at night. Here are a few simple tips to keep you and your passengers safe when you are driving at night.
Visit your eye doctor frequently
You must make sure you have an eye examination by an eye doctor or optician at least one every two years. If you suffer with certain eye conditions or diseases you may be asked to attend an eye examination more often than this, but always follow the guidance of your eye care specialist. As soon as you start to develop problems driving at night or have any concerns about symptoms of your eyes, make sure to tell your eye doctor so they can investigate it further.
Look after your eyes
For people with diabetes it is very important to look after their eyes. Always follow your doctor’s and eye doctor’s guidelines on how to look after your eyes, for example controlling blood sugar and diet, this is to help lessen the risks of diabetic retinopathy which could lead to severe loss of vision without any warning.
Ask for special glasses
When you attend your eye examinations you can ask your eye care specialist to prescribe you glasses with an anti-reflective coating with can help reduce glare, which you may find is a problem when you drive at night from oncoming car headlights for example.
Cataract surgery
If you have started to develop cataracts this tend to impair night time driving, so ask your eye doctor about having cataract surgery and the best replacement intraocular lenses for you and your driving.
For more information, please read our article on cataracts and driving.
Be alert
According to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in March 2007, 40% of fatal collisions involving older drivers happened when approaching intersections. They found the most common reason for these accidents was a failure to stop, especially when making a left turn. So always be extra alert when driving especially when stopping at an intersection.
If you have any concerns about your vision when night time driving always seek the best advice from your eye care specialist.
About the expert
Mr Hamada | Consultant Ophthalmologist and Corneal Surgeon
MD, MSc, DO (hons), FRCSEd, FRCOphth I am Samer, founder and consultant ophthalmic surgeon with over 20 years’ experience in ophthalmology. I am a world-renowned specialist in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery. I’m not only a leading surgeon but also the only dual fellowship trained in corneal diseases in children from reputable institutions in the UK. At Eye Clinic London I work closely with other consultant ophthalmologists, optometrists and orthoptists to achieve the best outcomes for our patients. Our main aim is to make sure our patients get the safest and best treatments available to them. We put your safety before anything else so you can rest assured that if you choose us you will be in the best and safest hands.
