Driving when you have cataracts How can having cataracts affect my ...

Driving when you havecataracts■ For most people, driving representsfreedom, control and independence.Driving enables most people to get to theplaces they want to go and to see thepeople they want to see when they want.■ Driving is a complex skill. Our ability todrive safely can be challenged by changesin our physical, emotional and mentalcondition.■ The goal of this brochure is to help you,your family and your health careprofessional talk about how cataracts mayaffect your ability to drive safely.How can having cataractsaffect my driving?■ Having a cataract can make it harder foryou to see the road, street signs, othercars, and people walking because acataract clouds the eye’s lens. Among thesigns of a cataract:◆◆◆◆◆◆objects look blurry;things are more difficult to seein bright light;headlight glare is more intense;colors look faded;night vision is worse; anddouble vision may be present.■ Having a cataract also can mean that youneed to change your eyeglasses or contactlenses more often. If you have any ofthese symptoms, check with your eye careexpert. Even a small change in youreyeglass prescription can make a bigdifference in seeing at the long distancesrequired with driving.Can I still drive with acataract?■ If your doctor has told you that you havea cataract, there are certain things thatyou should know and do to remain a safedriver.■ Every person’s cataract is different. In itsearly stages, your cataract may be so smallthat it does not affect your vision. Youmay be able to drive safely for many yearsif you have no other serious medicalproblems. However, over time thecataract may worsen and cloud more ofthe lens of your eye. This can make yourvision dull and blurry.■ It may become difficult to see and todrive safely if you have a cataract. Youmay need to plan car trips to avoid timeswhen vision may be most affected; forexample, driving west at dusk into asetting sun or during rainy conditions atnight. Clean your car windshields (bothinside and outside) often so vision is notreduced even further. You also shouldclean your automobile headlamps toprovide as much light as possible fornight driving.What can I do when cataractsaffect my driving?■ Your eye care expert may recommendthat you have cataract surgery dependingupon the severity of your visual defect.Before deciding on surgery, your doctormay refer you to a specialist who may goon a drive with you to see how well youdrive with your cataract.■ The specialist also may offer training thatis able to improve your driving skills.Improving your skills could help keepyou and others around you safe.■ To find a driver rehabilitation specialistnear you, go to www.aota.org/olderdriverand look up the name of a specialist inyour State. Additionally, you can callhospitals and rehabilitation facilities tofind an occupational therapist who canhelp with the driving skills assessmentand remediation. Depending on whereyou live, you may need to travel tonearby communities to find theseservices.■ If you decide to have cataract surgery,your clouded lens will likely be replacedwith a clear, artificial lens. With a new,clear lens, you will most likely be able tokeep driving safely for many years tocome. Cataract surgery is the mostcommon surgical procedure in the UnitedStates and is usually done on anoutpatient basis.

What if I have to give up orcut back on driving?■ You can keep your independence even ifyou have to give up or cut back on yourdriving. It may take planning ahead onyour part, but it will get you to the placesyou want to go and the people you wantto see. Consider:◆◆◆◆rides with family and friends;taxi cabs;shuttle buses or vans; andpublic buses, trains and subways.■ Also, senior centers, religious and otherlocal service groups often offertransportation services for older adults inyour community.Who can I call for helpwith transportation?Call the ElderCare Locator at1-800-677-1116 and ask for yourlocal Office on Aging, or go totheir website www.eldercare.gov.■ Contact your regional transit authority,which can tell you which bus or train totake.Call Easter Seals Project ACTION(Accessible Community TransportationIn Our Nation) at 1-800-659-6428or go to their websitewww.easterseals.com/transportation.Where do I find out moreabout cataracts and theirtreatment?■ Your first step is to talk with your doctorand eye care expert. You also can contactthe:American Optometric Association314-991-4100www.aoa.orgAmerican Academy ofOphthalmology415-561-8500www.aao.orgNational Eye Institute301-496-5248www.nei.nih.gov■ You also can get a copy of the “Age PageOn Older Drivers” from the NationalInstitute on Aging by calling1-800-222-2225, or by going to theirwebsite atwww.niapublications.org/engagepages/drivers.aspWear your safety beltAlways wear your safety belt when you aredriving or riding in a car. Make sure thatevery person who is riding with you also isbuckled up. Wear your safety belt even ifyour car has air bags.DrivingWhenYouHaveCataractsDOT HS 809 594 June 2003