The Eyeway Code Calls for Drivers to Get into Gear on Glaucoma

A new survey suggests millions of drivers over 40 years old are driving blind to the risk of developing glaucoma. Glaucoma reduces peripheral vision and can make driving extremely dangerous and unlawful if not diagnosed and successfully treated. People aged 40 plus are most vulnerable to developing the disease impacting over 600,000 people in Great Britain, half of whom are not diagnosed or treated.

In the survey of over 1000 drivers aged 40 plus, over half (52%) did not know that ‘glaucoma mainly affects peripheral vision’ even though 96% described glaucoma as ‘an eye disease’. ICM Research conducted the survey in July for the International Glaucoma Association (IGA) - a UK based charity. There are over 24 million driving licence holders aged 40 or over in Great Britain.

The survey revealed 30% of respondents in the 40 to 54 age group – when vulnerability starts to increase – are failing to take an eye test every two years or more frequently. Experts, including the IGA, recommend people aged 40 and over take a glaucoma test at least every two years to ensure early diagnosis, when treatment is most effective. In addition, twenty percent (20%) of all drivers over 40 indicated they were failing to take an eye test at least every two years. These responses are in line with other recent research into eye test frequency.

Moreover, the survey revealed 30% just ‘didn’t know’ how glaucoma is diagnosed and a further 14% inaccurately felt the condition ‘is easily self-diagnosed as people recognise their eyesight is declining’. In reality self-diagnosis is most unlikely in the early stage of the condition due to its typically slow development.

David Wright, Chief Executive of the IGA, said, “Too many people over 40 assume their eyesight is fine and don’t bother with regular eye testing that includes simple, painless tests for glaucoma. Thousands of drivers are on our roads with undiagnosed and untreated glaucoma and millions are not testing frequently enough– it is a glaring risk for drivers, passengers and pedestrians. It’s a pity, because if detected and treated early, most glaucoma patients can carry on driving for many years and avoid the life-changing impact of losing their licence.“

Medical research shows that with early detection and compliance with treatment – usually eye-drops – a glaucoma patient could expect on average to retain good sight for 12 years more than a patient who is not treated. Drivers who develop glaucoma in both eyes must report their condition to the DVLA5 and will be required to have a new visual field test to check they are still safe to drive.

To boost knowledge of the disease and provide a road map for testing and treatment, the IGA has launched the ‘EyeWay Code to ‘Keep Your Eyes and life on the Road after 40 years old’, downloadable from

www.glaucoma-association.com

David Wright, Chief Executive of the IGA, added: “Regular eye tests are just as important as MOTs. With early detection and compliance with treatment Glaucoma need not be the end of the road in terms of driving.”