Chris Bennett: Taking the high road on drivers’ vision

“We must never let this happen again,” is a phrase that has an ugly hollow ring about it.

It’s a platitude so often trotted out after a tragedy where a danger has been seen but the responsibility to resolve it has been fudged. Everyone nods in agreement but no one acts any differently or takes on the uncomfortable responsibility.

Driving and vision is just such an example where behaviour needs to change and an example where optometry could step forward and take a lead (see In Focus).

The ageing population is at the centre of many of the changes facing optics. Every day optometrists examine patients, many elderly, who clearly should no longer be driving. It is time the optical profession took the lead and set clear, non-negotiable, accountability for optometrists to report drivers falling below the clearly set standards.