Are you 'Driving Blind' to Glaucoma risk?

LONDON, August 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

• With Photo
• New survey highlights testing shortfall  
• 'EyeWay Code' Calls for Drivers To 'Get into Gear on Glaucoma'

With bank holiday* road chaos looming, a new survey^[1] suggests millions of drivers over 40 years old are driving blind to the risk of developing glaucoma. Glaucoma reduces peripheral vision and can make driving extremely dangerous and unlawful if not diagnosed and successfully treated. People aged 40 plus are most vulnerable to developing the disease impacting over 600,000 people in Great Britain, half of whom are not diagnosed or treated^[2].

In the survey of over 1000 drivers aged 40 plus, over half (52%) did not know that 'glaucoma mainly affects peripheral vision' even though 96% described glaucoma as 'an eye disease'. ICM Research conducted the survey in July for the International Glaucoma Association (IGA) - a UK based charity. There are over 24 million driving licence holders aged 40 or over in Great Britain.

The survey revealed 30% of respondents in the 40 to 54 age group - when vulnerability starts to increase - are failing to take an eye test every two years or more frequently. Experts, including the IGA, recommend people aged 40 and over take a glaucoma test at least every two years to ensure early diagnosis, when treatment is most effective. In addition, twenty per cent (20%) of all drivers over 40 indicated they were failing to take an eye test at least every two years. These responses are in line with other recent research into eye test frequency^[3].

Moreover, the survey revealed 30% just 'didn't know' how glaucoma is diagnosed and a further 14% inaccurately felt the condition 'is easily self-diagnosed as people recognise their eyesight is declining'. In reality self-diagnosis is most unlikely in the early stage of the condition due to its typically slow development.

David Wright, Chief Executive of the IGA, said, "Too many people over 40 assume their eyesight is fine and don't bother with regular eye testing that includes simple, painless tests for glaucoma^[4] Thousands of drivers are on our roads with undiagnosed and untreated glaucoma and millions are not testing frequently enough- it is a glaring risk for drivers, passengers and pedestrians.  It's a pity, because if detected and treated early, most glaucoma patients can carry on driving for many years and avoid the life-changing impact of losing their licence."

The IGA's survey highlights the life-changing impact of losing the ability to drive: 8 out of ten people (83%) said it would dramatically or considerably change their life if they could no longer drive; 73% feared the impact on social life; 21% would no longer be able to do their job.  

Medical research shows that with early detection and compliance with treatment - usually eye-drops - a glaucoma patient could expect on average to retain good sight for 12 years more than a patient who is not treated^[2].  Drivers who develop glaucoma in both eyes must report their condition to the DVLA^[5] and will be required to have a new visual field test to check they are still safe to drive.  

Professor David Crabb, Department of Optometry and Visual Science, City University, London, explains the impact the disease can have upon driving: "Glaucoma affects the off-centre parts of the field of vision first and does not affect the central detailed vision until the late stages of the condition. When both eyes are affected the danger comes, especially in driving, when the damaged areas in each eye overlap: instead of an accurate combined visual picture, the brain will reconstruct the missing parts of the picture based on the information it has from the parts of the field of vision that are working. This may give a dangerously inaccurate picture and un-expected events may be missed, such as a child crossing the road."

AA Head of Road Safety Andrew Howard said: "As we get older having our eyes tested regularly becomes more and more important.  From a driving angle we need to make sure that we can meet the basic eyesight test, but we also have to ensure we don't have the conditions, like glaucoma, that can eventually preclude driving if untreated. And a check isn't everything, drivers need to discuss driving with their opticians, so that anything that will affect them in the future can be identified and acted on before they start to affect ability to drive."  

Get into Gear with Glaucoma - Follow the EyeWay Code

To boost knowledge of the disease and provide a road map for testing and treatment, the IGA has launched the 'EyeWay Code to 'Keep Your Eyes and life on the Road after 40 years old', downloadable from http://www.glaucoma-association.com. David Wright, Chief Executive of the IGA, added: "Regular eye tests are just as important as MOTs. With early detection and compliance with treatment Glaucoma need not be the end of the road in terms of driving."

Case Studies:

Peter, aged 55 and from Pirbright: Peter was diagnosed with glaucoma in 1988 (when 32):  glaucoma was discovered via a regular eye test.  He complies with a prescribed eye drop regime, his sight is good and he can continue to drive and much more: Peter said, "I play cricket, drive my sports car and have a flying licence. If you develop glaucoma keep positive: it does not have to affect your life."

Julia, aged 61 and from Colchester: By the time Julia was diagnosed aged 42, she had advanced glaucoma: "My diagnosis in that year halted my career as and adult education teacher which had involved me driving everywhere. It hit home when I couldn't jump in the car to be there for the birth of my daughter's first baby."

Notes to Editors:

Appendices

1. ICM interviewed a random sample of 1037 adults aged 40+ who drive via online between 13^th -14^th July 2011. Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.  ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.  Further information at icmresearch.com

2. Burr JM, Mowatt G, et al. The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of screening for open angle glaucoma. Health Technol Assess. 2007 Oct; 11(41):1-190. Figures based on 2009 UK population census estimated http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=15106

3. Freshminds Research (College of Optometrists): 4,004 adults aged 18 to 60, UK, Online survey, May 2010

4. Routine eye tests are carried out at the opticians by an optometrist, in addition to the basic eye test, a complete 'eye health check' should include the three simple and painless glaucoma tests.

5. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/MedicalRulesForDrivers/MedicalA-Z/DG_185444

Pictures accompanying this release are available through the PA Photowire. They can be downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk.

Media Contact

To speak to David Wright (IGA), David Crabb (City University), Peter or Julia, or for more survey data (regional and national) in the first instance contact:

Sarah Zerbib: IGA Head of PR: email: s.zerbib@iga.org.uk tel: +44(0)1233-64-81-69

Or Tim Kaye, prplus international: tck@prplus.demon.co.uk tel: +44(0)208-392-3926

For Public Information about Glaucoma:

Phone Sightline: 01233 648170

http://www.glaucoma-association.com

* Bank holiday 29 August in England and Wales, and Northern Ireland