IS YOUR EYESIGHT STILL SAFE?

Future-proof your vision by being aware of changes

- ALI HORSFALL

Along with a fondness for an early night and forgetting where you put your keys, needing glasses is inevitable as we get older – and women are most affected by age-related eye issues, says consultant ophthalmic surgeon Dr Elizabeth Hawkes. One in four UK women are at risk of developing sight loss* – so spotting the early signs is key. Find out how to stay safe when driving, and the common conditions that can compromise your vision.

FIT FOR DRIVING

While feeling less than confident on the road isn’t uncommon, a decline in eyesight could be dangerous – an estimated 3,000 road casualties are caused by poor vision every year.

Current laws state motorists must be able to read a vehicle number plate from 20 metres in good daylight – yet the onus is still on the individual to report their vision status when renewing a licence.

‘Many drivers are unaware their vision has deteriorated over time,’ says research optometrist professor Julie-Anne Little, past chairman of the Association of Optometrists (AOP). ‘But poor eyesight has been shown to slow reaction times. It doesn’t take much for one mistake to result in a serious collision with catastrophic

consequences.’