Poor Age-Related Eye Health Can Lead to Auto Accidents

The Delaware auto accident attorneys of Silverman, McDonald & Friedman have helped many families get the compensation they deserve when they or their loves ones have been injured in an auto accident caused by the negligence of another driver. You are welcome contact us have a free consultation with a member of our legal team in one of our offices, located in Seaford, Wilmington and Newark.

Your eye sight is one of the most crucial aspects of safe driving. As we age, our eyesight can begin to diminish slowly over time. In the same way that you might need reading glasses in order to read fine print, you may notice other changes in your vision, such as your eyes’ sensitivity to the lights of other vehicles at night.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 17 percent of all traffic fatalities in the United States were among people 65 and older. There were 5,671 older people killed and 222,000 were injured traffic in crashes in 2013. Traffic fatalities among older people increased by one percent over the previous year, and injuries increased by four percent.

Common age-related vision problems

There are certain health problems and diseases of the eye that may develop as you grow older and begin to change the quality of your vision, some of which include:

• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• Cataracts
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Dry eyes
• Glaucoma
• Retinal detachment

Delaware’s vision requirements

When you apply for a new license or renew an existing license, the Delaware Department of Motor Vehicles will ask if you have any physical or mental conditions or disabilities that might interfere with your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. If you answer “yes,” you may be required to go through medical clearance before a license may be issued. All applicants must pass the vision screening test. If your vision is 20/40 with or without correction you may be issued a license with full privileges. If your vision is 20/50 you may be given a daylight only license. The DMV is required by law to conduct a re-examination of your driving ability if they receive a request to re-examine you from law enforcement, your doctor or family members.

Tips for safe driving after age 60

The American Optometric Association offers these tips for driving safely when you are over age 60 especially when you must drive at night:

• Use extra caution at intersections.
• Reduce your speed and limit yourself to daytime driving if you are having trouble seeing at night.
• Avoid wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses with wide frames or temples because they can obscure your peripheral vision.
• Take a refresher driving course for seniors, which can help you find ways to compensate for the physical changes that may have an impact on your driving ability.
• Get your eyes examined every year. Early detection will make sure that any eye health problems will be treated right away.

Additional tips include:

• Do not use your cell phone while driving.
• Avoid driving on unfamiliar streets at night.
• Take heed of others reactions to your driving.

Eye and vision problems can be tricky because they often emerge slowly. You may not realize how much your vision has been compromised until you get into an accident because you were unable to see clearly whatever was in your path. If you begin to notice any signs of vision problems, visit your eye health care provider and get an eye exam. Follow your doctor’s advice when it comes to maintaining healthy eyes and good vision so that you can stay safe when you are driving.

If you or someone you care about has been injured in an auto accident caused by another driver’s negligent actions, we are here to help. At the Delaware law offices of Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, we are here to serve clients in Newark, Seaford, Wilmington and throughout Delaware. You are welcome to call us at 302.414.5553 or fill out our quick contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your injury case with an experienced auto accident attorney today.