An optometrist has highlighted a crucial indicator that individuals might be suffering from a severe medical condition which could affect their ability to drive. One of the essential requirements for being medically fit to drive is having good eyesight – and motorists in October are more prone to noticing issues as darkness falls considerably earlier.
During a driving examination, candidates must be capable of reading a number plate from roughly 20 metres distance. Yet, there are numerous visual ailments which folk might not be aware they're developing as they progressively manifest with advancing age.
Cataract symptoms explained
Optometrist Humaira Bham informed BBC Morning Live audiences how they can identify cataracts. She explained: "It is very common in older adults. It's where the lens in the eye which is transparent in youth gets cloudy as time goes on. So it's actually driven by the changes within the proteins within the eye within the lens. So these proteins lose their transparency over time and become more opaque. So like the rest of the body the eye changes as well. So it can be like looking through a misty window. It can feel a little bit like your vision's blurred."
Regarding how to spot the early signs, she explained that blurred vision, caused by the lens becoming cloudy, was the key indicator to look out for. She also mentioned that people will experience sensitivity to light and glare. She stated: "So you might be driving and you might realize or feel like the lights and the headlights are looking more splayed out than usual. So if you are struggling with night driving and you feel like that's becoming more apparent, it's worth getting checked out."
Other signs and surgery success
She went on to say that people might notice colours appearing duller and the world generally looking less vibrant. Ms Bham explained: "Blues and purples may look a little bit more gray. Whites may look a little bit more yellow. I had a lady who got her cataracts done and she realized that her entire wardrobe was actually neon because when she had cataracts, she was picking out faded colours." Another indicator might be requiring frequent changes to your glasses prescription.
Not everyone needs immediate surgery, but Ms Bham highlighted its impressive success rate: "Cataract surgery is one of those it's the most common surgery done in the UK. You're in there for about 20 to 25 minutes on average. And the recovery is so quick that you can go home the same day as surgery. So it is really it's a really good surgery. Very high success rate as well just to just to reassure you. And you'll be back to normal within no time. There's so much post-operative care as well. And we have some of the best surgeons looking after you."
Calls for compulsory eye tests
Motorists aged 70 and above in the UK continue to rely on a self-declaration process to renew their driving licences and aren't currently obliged by law to provide an optician's vision test, although recent governmental consultations have suggested amending this regulation. These suggestions form part of the Government's new road safety strategy.
The Association of Optometrists (AOP) and the College of Optometrists have campaigned for changes to UK driving legislation for years, advocating for a compulsory requirement for all motorists to provide proof of a recent eye examination at initial licence application and at each renewal – every 10 years, then every three years from the age of 70. The AOP and College of Optometrists have also emphasised the necessity for heightened public understanding of the significance of routine eye examinations between renewals, ensuring drivers maintain compliance with driving standards.
Dr Peter Hampson, clinical and policy director at the AOP stated: "Introducing compulsory eye tests for the over 70s, every three years, is a vital step forward in modernising road safety, preventing avoidable vision-related tragedies." Progressive deterioration of eyesight can mean motorists may be unaware their vision no longer satisfies legal requirements, Hampson noted. He stated: "This simple change to the law would bring the UK into line with much of Europe and deliver a fair, consistent system where drivers' eyesight is checked by qualified professionals." Hampson went on to stress that public backing for reform is evident, describing the move as "decisive move in making UK roads safer for everybody."
