Elderly Driving
Elderly Driving & Eye Exams in Tallahassee
Here in the Sunshine State, we have a robust “senior” demographic. This is definitely the state for retirees. And if you are 60 years old or older, due to the normal and gradual loss of vision that comes with age, driving can be risky. At Big Bend Family Eye Care, we strive to help our seniors stay as active and independent as possible. Annual comprehensive eye exams are extremely important to keeping you and the other drivers safe on the road.
Annual Eye Exams
With age, unfortunately comes various age-related conditions that can reduce peripheral vision and create slower visual reaction time. This can cause a dangerous situation and directly affect driving safety. There are certain eye problems such as early cataracts that can compromise night driving vision, even before symptoms become apparent.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control: Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury in adults between the ages of 65 and 75,To stay safe on the road, follow these safety tips for drivers over age 60:
- Annual Eye Exams: This is how degraded vision and eye related vision problems are caught. Don’t skip these.
- Use Extra Caution at Intersections: A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found 40 percent of fatal collisions involving older drivers occurred at intersections. The most common reason for these crashes was a failure to yield, especially when making a left turn.
- Avoid Driving on Unfamiliar Streets at Night: The National Safety Council says traffic death rates are three times higher at night than during the day. Consider reducing your night driving when possible, and avoid routes with poor lighting.
- Don’t Use Your Cell Phone While Driving: This is a bad idea at any age, and older drivers are slower to react to a driving emergency, even without the distraction of a cell phone. Have your eyes examined annually. The American Optometric Association recommends yearly eye exams for anyone over age 60.
At Big Bend Family Eye Care, we offer eyewear features that can help improve your driving safety. Anti-reflective coating for your lenses can help reduce glare at night.