June 10 - Lost Sight/Lost Drivers License

Not being able to see is a very good reason not to get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Yet, for adults who are experiencing a gradual loss of vision, the decision to give up a driver’s license is a difficult one. I think the word gradual comes into play. If the sight loss is gradual, at what point is the loss of sight too much?

For me, there was no question about giving up my license. My sight loss was sudden and it was quite obvious to me that I shouldn’t be behind the wheel. Interestingly, my optometrist and ophthalmologist didn’t make this decision for me. Perhaps they presumed that I would be smart enough to decide for myself.

However, for people who are going through the process of vision loss gradually, the decision is more difficult. At what point does the loss of sight cross the line? The hard part is finding the balance. Often, it’s not a firm line between being able to see well enough on the one hand and being a danger on the road on the other.

I bring all this up after a conversation I had with Jean. Jean has been dealing with macular degeneration for some years but recently the condition seems to have undergone a rapid progression. Jean told me that she drove for the last time just last week. It was a short trip to the other side of her small town. By the time she arrived at her destination, she knew that it was time to make the change. Good for Jean! Unfortunately not everyone is as wise. Jean told me that she would never forgive herself if she had an accident and someone else was hurt because she didn’t see well enough.

It’s hard to give up the independence that comes with driving. Driving yourself means that you are the one who decides where and when to go. When you are a passenger, you give up that control. Yes, giving up driving is a difficult decision. It means making changes in what has previously been an independent lifestyle. It means planning ahead for trips – even to the local grocery store or medical appointments. It means relying more on friends and family. It means developing a degree of patience and learning to cope with frustration.  While we might not be able to control how much we can see, we can make a wise choice when it comes to whether or not we are visually fit to drive.