Comment: Turning a blind eye to drivers' vision

Threatened legislation over drivers' vision (see news) comes up on a regular basis but is the profession itself turning a blind eye to an opportunity? Telling an elderly patient who has come in for a routine eye examination that they can no longer legally drive is something no professional enjoys.

The patient, in an attempt to 'do the right thing' by having their eyes tested, has visited the optometrist only to have their life turned upside down. It is no surprise then that encouraging elderly drivers to present themselves for a test to see if they can still legally drive is not popular among the profession. Equally few elderly people, especially those who need to, are going to have an eye exam if they think they are likely to be told not to drive.