Older Drivers and Their Eyesight

Study results regarding older drivers were recently published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. The Salisbury Eye Evaluation and Driving Study (SEEDS) was conducted by scientists affiliated with Johns Hopkins University and looked at the vision, cognition and general health of licensed drivers aged 67 – 87.

There are over 30 million drivers in the U.S. aged 65 and over, which is also the fastest growing group of all licensed drivers in the country. As drivers age, their cognitive and visual function decreases impacting driving ability. The SEEDS research shows that a decrease in vision function is a key factor in an older driver's decision to restrict or discontinue driving. The most common conditions that bring about that decision include:

• Slow visual scanning
  
• Reaction time and attention
  
• Decreased ability to discern distances
  
• Contrast sensitivity loss (commonly associated with cataracts)
  

Each of these skills is necessary to help drivers to be aware of and appropriately respond to other vehicles, road conditions and road signs. Not associated with a decision to limit driving was a loss of visual field, commonly associated with glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration.

The study noted that women were four times more likely than men to stop or restrict their driving. Those who prefer to be driven were also four times more likely to self-limit driving than those who like to drive.

Self monitoring and regulation by aging drivers are essential ingredients in ensuring their safety and the safety of those with whom they share the road. The results of this study show that aging drivers are more apt to respond to some conditions than others, which might recommend increased education about the effect of visual field loss on the ability to drive.

Please contact the LASIK Directory today to find an experienced ophthalmologist in your area.

PNW