 | William L. Park, OD, FAAO is in private practice in Wichita, KS. He works exclusively with patients referred for low vision evaluation, low vision rehabilitation and neurological vision loss. He is a past Director of Low Vision Services, Lions Research & Rehabilitation Center, Wilmer Eye Institute-Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Park can be reached at William L. Park, OD, LLC, www.parklowvision.com, 610 N. Main, Suite 201, Wichita, KS 67203, (316) 440-1690 or drpark@parklowvision.com. |
Vision
2010-09-01 13:38:00
Cataracts and macular degeneration
Question: I am 62 years old, live alone and need to continue driving to maintain independence and feel good about my life. I have had cataract surgery on my right eye and have been told I have a cataract in the other eye, with beginning macular degeneration in both eyes. What can I do to make sure I am safe?
Answer: First, I assume you have been counseled on your ability to drive by your optometrist and/or ophthalmologist and are still legal to drive. You should be aware of what level of visual acuity you currently have – in each eye separately and with both eyes together. Your depth perception has likely been affected by the difference between your two eyes’ visual capability due to the cataract in your left eye. Also, the macular degeneration could be more involved in one eye than the other.
Other factors to consider are your ability to: detect low contrast objects such as shading on pavement, read signs, see traffic lights or a pedestrian crossing the street, and your reaction time to the unexpected, as these factors are perhaps even more important than your visual acuity. All of these factors may result in difficulty judging distance and closing rates of other vehicles.
You may also ask yourself:
• Can you identify signs and interpret roadway markings?
• Do you look ahead into the center of your projected path?
• Do you have awareness of your field of vision peripherally and in front, behind and around you as you are driving, or are you often surprised by a threatening incident?
• Do you feel you react to potential threats in a timely manner to prevent an accident?
These are concerns that any safe driver should have. Actions such as driving when most alert, limiting overall drive time, limiting driving to daylight hours, and limiting your routes may also increase your safety. Other safe, self-imposed habits may include avoiding driving during sunrise and sunset, choosing familiar and less challenging routes and driving when traffic is light.
It is also very important to consider yellow filters that reduce glare. Yellow filters are advantageous for anyone driving at night – especially for those over 50 years of age due to changes of the lens in the eye as a matter of aging.
Brown amber lenses are also of significant assistance in enhancing contrast and the red/green color spectrum, while reducing glare. This serves to improve your capability to see and identify traffic lights while driving. Lenses such as “Drivewear” could be considered depending on the advice of your optometrist, ophthalmologist or optician.
Finally, you may want to ask your eye care professional if you should consult a low vision practitioner and driving program for constructive assessment of your driving skills as a matter of safety and continued independence. I wish you good luck and applaud your personal concern with safety.
