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Will you be driving much? – a guide to driving and eye care

FEBRUARY, 2019

Whether you’re going shopping, visiting friends and family, ferrying your children around or going to parties, you will likely to be on the road more over the holiday. With that in mind, if you are a motorist, it’s particularly important to take care of your eyes and book regular check-ups. The quality and safety of your driving depend on your ability to see clearly, especially during the colder months of the year where visibility can be reduced. And bearing in mind how busy the roads get over weekends, you need to be sure your vision is up to it.
Follow your optometrist’s advice
If you have been told you need to wear glasses for driving, make sure you comply with this advice. Contact lens wearers are advised to keep a pair of spectacles in the car just in case they require them. You should also keep a spare pair in your vehicle if you are a spectacle wearer. You can reduce problems with ‘dazzling’ from headlights by opting for glasses with an anti-reflection coating. If you don’t always need glasses, make sure you use them at night or in other situations when visibility and lighting are poor. Avoid wearing tinted lenses in these conditions as they can make dark environments seem even darker.
Visual aids for driving
It’s wise to opt for slim frames when buying glasses for driving as thicker ones can make it harder to see around you. Your visual field needs to be of a certain standard if you are to drive on the roads of the UK. If you are unable to read the 6/12 on the optometrist’s chart, you may require spectacles for driving. You must almost be able to read a post-2001 number plate from at least 20 metres away. If you are told you need spectacles or contact lenses for driving, you must wear them even when driving short distances. Stop driving immediately if your optometrist tells you it is no longer safe for you to drive.
Keep the authorities informed
You are legally obliged to inform the DVLA if you now fail to meet the visual requirements for driving, or if a disability or condition likely to affect your driving has worsened. You also need to tell them if you now have a certain condition that you didn’t have before. Vision-related conditions you need to let them know about include double vision, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and glaucoma and more.
Tests could be needed
If you do tell the DVLA about a condition, they will decide whether tests need to be carried out to assess your ability to drive. You may need to undergo visual-field tests, and the DVLA may talk to your doctor or consultant. If you do continue to drive after being told not to, you may be unable to get insurance, could be met with a fine and could even have legal action taken against you if you are involved in a road accident. Bus and lorry drivers must comply with stricter rules.
Get in touch
For more advice about eye-care and to answer any of your ophthalmology questions, do not hesitate to contact Gurjeet Jutley. His expert knowledge will ensure you are kept well informed about your eyesight.
At Oxford Eye Health, we can come to your assistance if you need to arrange an eye check-up or require treatment from a leading opthalmologist. Contact Dr Gurjeet Singh Jutley today by calling 07568512719 or completing the form on our website https://gurjeetjutley.com .
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