We’ve had a pretty dismal summer, but for most of us, at least we didn’t have to worry about driving in dark mornings and evenings.
That will change when the clocks go back this weekend, Sunday 27 October and once again, many of us will be driving to and from work in the dark. Just have to think of Christmas ahead, we suppose!
One thing that probably won’t have crossed anyone’s mind, unless you’re an eye surgeon or an optician, is that driving in the dark can show up a common eye condition that is relatively easy to correct. Research from Optegra Eye Clinic in Sheffield shows that approximately 58% of drivers experience distracting glare when they drive in the dark and as a result, don’t feel safe. But they will probably not consider why this is so.
The reason could be that they have, or are developing, cataracts in one or both of their eyes. Drivers may note cloudy or blurred vision and in particular, experience a distracting glare from oncoming headlights. Many will put this down to cars these days having particularly bright headlights, but it may actually be their vision.Because this puts drivers, their passengers and other road users and pedestrians at potential risk, Optegra are urging people to get their eyesight checked out if they are experiencing this type of symptom. It’s as well to get regular checks for eyesight and glasses anyway; there are many accessible opticians on any High Street and some people will qualify for free checks. But cataracts can begin to develop in between say, annual checks, so it’s important to be aware of the initial symptoms.
You also have to remember that it is not only unwise to drive with vision problems; you do need to reach a certain standard of vision to legally drive on the roads, even if this is with prescription glasses. If you are involved in an accident and you are found to be below the legal sight requirements for driving, your car insurance may be invalidated and will not pay out for injuries and losses to you or other parties. There could also be criminal penalties. Think how many of us would be lost if we were banned from driving-can’t get to work, no school runs, no outings, not able to get to the shops, especially in rural areas.
The good news is that cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed operations, both elective and prescribed, around the world and has an excellent record for successful outcomes, usually restoring vision completely, especially if caught early. The normal procedure is to operate on one eye first and then the other, so if something DOES go wrong, then sight is not lost altogether as the other eye may still have function.
As clinical negligence solicitors, we don’t have to deal with many cases where cataract surgery has gone wrong or a cataract has been missed. One unusual case did not involve the surgery itself being incorrect, or negligent, but the new lens being inserted actually being defective. This is rare.
But as ever, conditions can only be treated if they are seen and noted by opticians, ophthalmic surgeons or even GP’s. Don’t ignore any changes in vision, however subtle, or think they will just go away by themselves. They won’t.
A simple check and usually uncomplicated surgery can and will save lives. So don’t be in the dark-book an appointment now!