Did you know that 90% of driver
information is visual? A recent study has shown that 1 in every 5
drivers suffers from a vision deficiency affecting their driving
performance. Good eye health is essential for driving to read the
highway signs at a distance to prepare you to get off the interstate at
the correct exit or see the speedometer on your car dashboard to keep
you from driving too fast. Your driving safety and your eye health go
hand in hand!
Common Driving Eye-Related Complaints
According
to the World Health Organization, an impaired vision that can either be
treated or prevented affects at least one billion people worldwide.
They also stated that poor eyesight is one of the most significant risk
factors for auto crashes. Here are a few eyesight problem symptoms that
can make driving safely tricky.
Blurry Vision
A
vision that is blurry or fuzzy is a common issue drivers face. The
objects on the road appear out of focus to adhere to critical visual
cues and quick decisions while driving on the road. Blurry vision is
often caused by refractive errors, which cause light to enter the eye
incorrectly. Four examples of common refractive disorders are:
Presbyopia – is the gradual loss of your eye's ability to focus on nearby objects, which usually occurs after 40.
Nearsightedness (myopia) –
is a condition where you can see objects near you clearly, but objects
farther away are blurry. Myopia is the most common refractive disorder.
Farsightedness (hyperopia) – is a vision condition where you can clearly see distant objects, but objects nearby may be blurry.
Astigmatism –
is a treatable imperfection in the eye's curvature that causes blurred
distance and near vision. Astigmatism affects how lights look at night,
making nighttime driving more challenging.
Eye Fatigue –
You may have experienced sleepy and tired eyes on a long drive. During
those long trips, relax your eyes by taking frequent breaks and stay as
well-rested as possible.
Dry Eyes –
is a problem that ranges from annoying to painful. When using air
conditioning or heat, direct the air vents down instead of directly
toward your face to minimize this problem while driving. Positioning the
vents down will still keep you cool or warm you up without the
eye-drying effects of the direct air.
Light Sensitivity –
may have a significant impact on day and night driving. The sunlight on
an overcast day can cause discomfort to the eyes during the day, much
like the streetlights and headlights at night.
Eye
fatigue can affect anyone, but symptoms like blurry vision and light
sensitivity can be signs of an eye condition that should be diagnosed
and treated by your eye doctor. Being proactive in getting the symptoms
treated can significantly improve your safety on the road.
We Are Here To Help!
Pay
attention to symptoms that your eyesight is changing with age in ways
that make driving riskier such as halo effects around lights, increased
glare, and dim or cloudy vision. Schedule an eye appointment TODAY if
you notice these changes in your eyesight. We can help you determine
the cause of your difficulties and recommend the next steps. We rely on
our eyes every waking hour of every day. Taking care of your eye health
doesn't just make you a safer driver; it changes how you see the world!