Glaucoma is generally seen as an abstract disease by patients, which often decreases compliance until major vision loss has occurred. As Lee and colleagues point out in their study, and as others have discovered before them, glaucoma can substantially impair driving ability. This should be a motivating factor for early detection and treatment prior to visual field loss. Additionally, this information can be used to highlight the tangible effects of avoiding care and perhaps help improve patient adherence.
Interestingly, they also found an association between better driving scores and large saccades. Perhaps visual training might benefit older drivers with glaucoma. Car manufacturers might help visually impaired patients through the use of technology to assist drivers with certain visual deficits.
This study reminds us that glaucoma has a clear impact on patients’ quality of life, in part due to glaucoma’s impact on everyday activities such as driving. In order to minimize dangers not only to the patient but to the public, we should counsel our patients on the impact glaucoma may have and help them get the training they need to be safe drivers.
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