AMD and road safety: How to ensure your eyesight isn’t impacting your driving

It’s a legal requirement in the UK to renew your licence when you hit 70 – and at the same time, you must declare any medical conditions that could impair your driving ability. One of the biggest barriers to safe driving as we get older is deteriorating eyesight. In this video created by the Older Drivers Forum, Leightons offers an insight into the common eye condition, macular degeneration, and the impact it can have on your ability to stay safe on the road.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of loss of vision in the UK. Approximately one in ten people over the age of 65 show some signs of AMD. ‘ ‘Dry’ AMD develops slowly, whereas ‘wet’ AMD develops quickly, sometimes presenting with a sudden change to, or loss of vision. Both 'Dry' and 'wet' AMD affect the central vision. Sudden symptoms of AMD must be investigated as an emergency, while slow changes are less urgent. Symptoms of AMD include:

• Straight lines can appear bent, wavy or distorted
• Difficulty in recognising people’s faces
• Colours appear less vibrant
• Blind spots in your central vision

As Bryony Allen, Professional Services Manager at Leightons Opticians, explains in the video, the early stages of dry AMD are often not detectable by the patient themselves.

It is only through professional monitoring and evaluating the health at the back of the eye, that any changes can be identified and appropriate action taken, sometimes even before the vision has been effected.

With this in mind, it is important to have regular optician appointments with a qualified and trusted optometrist. They can assess the condition of your eyes before making a professional recommendation regarding your ability to continue driving.

If after watching the video below you are concerned about your eyesight in any way then why not book an Ultimate Eye Examination at your nearest practice. You can book your appointment online or call us our Dedicated Patient Support Team on 0800 40 20 20.