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Posted by: Mitchell Refractive Surgery & Eye Center

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!