Issue 9.11
Fading night vision can be a frustrating fact and a serious traffic hazard. As we age, our vision usually becomes blurry gradually and sometime we may not notice it. To make matters worse, eye problems like cataracts and glaucoma develop so slowly that older drivers may not notice that their vision is declining.
So are you one of those who make sure you are home before it’s dark? Do you notice a glare from oncoming headlights? If so, it may be time to have a good thorough, dilated eye exam. If you are over 60 years old you should have an eye exam every year.
An older person may test well in the eye doctor’s office but still struggle to focus on the road at night especially where lighting is poor and more complex tasks are required. According to the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration, advancing years decrease our ability to see stationary and moving objects, including cars or pedestrians that may be crossing the road. Our ability to resist glare and see reflective road signs and markings also decrease with age. When seeing your eye doctor make sure you explain your visual symptoms thoroughly so the best treatment can be provided.
As our eyes age some normal changes will take place such as:
Pupils shrink and don’t dilate as much in the dark. This reduces the amount of light entering the eye and greatly reducing the light that reaches the retina. This can make older drivers function as though they are wearing dark sunglasses at night.
The surface of the eye, called the cornea and the lens inside of the eye becomes less clear as we age, causing light to scatter inside the eye which increases glare and decreases contract sensitivity – the ability to discern subtle differences in brightness-making it harder to see on the roadway at night.
Glaucoma can cause you to lose your peripheral vision gradually, so gradually that you may not even notice it until it is too late.
Age related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy or cataracts affect 33 percent of all people 40 years and older according to The Vision Council. We encourage you to schedule an eye exam for yourself or that loved one that you may have noticed is not driving quite as well as they used to. This will help all of us maintain safe roads and an active lifestyle.
Sharon Richens, MD, is an ophthalmologist, an eye physician and surgeon, practicing at 161 West 200 North ste. 200, St. George. Appointments can be made at (435) 986-2020.