Drivers with poor eyesight a danger, experts warn

DRIVERS with poor vision are just as dangerous as drunk drivers, experts have warned.

As many as one in 12 motorists have eyesight problems and find it particularly difficult to judge distance during night time driving, a conference of eye experts will hear today.

A national conference on the prevention of eye injury and loss of sight organised by the Waterford-based Fight for Sight charity is calling for compulsory eye tests every five years for all motorists over 35 years of age.

The charity also wants protective head gear made compulsory for hurlers.

“People have to go for an eye test before their driving test and don’t have to go for another until they are 70. And a lot of people who wear glasses for reading or in their normal work don’t wear them when driving,” said Fight for Sight chief executive Bertie Rogers.

“A lot of people have problems judging distance and margins, particularly at night. A person with bad eyesight is as dangerous on the road as someone with one or two drinks too many. Eye tests should be compulsory once we hit 35 and should be mandatory every five years,” he added.

A recent study by the Association of Optometrists showed that 8% of drivers have problems with their eyesight. Yet there is no corresponding data from the insurance industry to show how many accidents are caused by drivers with poor vision.

“There is no doubt in our minds that if someone has a problem judging distance and are travelling at 30 to 40 miles per hour, then they are a danger on the road. Some people are short- sighted, others are long-sighted.

“And we have also found that up to 6% of people we screen have a condition called glaucoma, which is pressure within the eye. If left untreated, it can cause blindness.

“Early screening is critical and we will be making our case for compulsory eye tests as well as free glaucoma screening with the minister when he visits our conference and views the video we have presented,” Mr Rogers added.

The organisers will also launch a campaign to make the wearing of effective eye-protection compulsory for hurlers.

One of the case highlighted will be that of James Heffernan, a hurler from Mullingar, who lost an eye as a result of an injury sustained during a game.

Also highlighted will the case of a hurler from Ballygunner, Waterford, who also lost an eye in similar circumstances.