Keeping you on the road
If you are aged 60 or older, driving a car might be riskier than you realise.
Research shows that your ability to see moving objects while you are moving deteriorates, much sooner than your ability to see objects that are still. Age-related eye diseases can also compromise vision, even before you are aware of symptoms.
And as you grow older, your driving skills are further challenged because you also lose peripheral vision and your reaction time slows.
We can help you keep your freedom and maintain your lifestyle
Driving is not just about getting from one place to another, it is about how we live our lives.
Losing the ability to drive or choosing to limit where we drive can mean losing more than just transportation.
It can mean losing your independence, becoming reliant on others for your most basic needs, and ultimately having to leave your family home and move into care.
“Clear, safe vision is essential for driving — regular eye checks keep you confident and legal on the road.”
How do I know my vision is affecting my driving?
Assess your driving ability based on reactions of others.
Honking horns, worried loved ones, warnings from police and blinding headlights all suggest the need for an eye test.
If you are having difficulty driving, limit yourself to shorter trips, preferably during daylight and when weather conditions are favorable, until your vision is assessed and you are fitted with the right pair of glasses.
Keep your car serviced regularly, plan extra time for travel, stay the recommended distance behind the vehicle in front of you and follow expert advice for driving safely.
Reduce your speed when driving at night.
As you age, your pupils get smaller and don’t dilate as quickly in the dark. This can affect the reaction time of older drivers at night.
“From glare reduction to sharper night vision, the right eyewear makes every journey safer.”
We can help you
Have your eyes examined every year, or even more frequently, at Ian Donald Optometrist.
Current NSW laws state an eye examination is mandatory for all drivers every year after 75.
We conduct a thorough investigation of your vision, including extra checks for any degenerative eye disease, including cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.
We’re not ‘on the clock’
We choose to thoroughly examine your eyes and we make use of every resource available to us.
We take the time to get to know you, and to provide a range of pre- and diagnostic testing before making our recommendations.
This is what really sets us apart.
We work with you, to keep you on the road
If you’re having difficulty driving it may not mean that you need a new prescription. It could be something as simple as your glasses not fitting you properly, and a simple adjustment is all it takes to keep you on the road.
‘A 90 year-old came in the other day – he was experiencing double vision – and all we did was adjust his glasses and he said, “oh yeah that’s much better.” He walked out relieved and it gave me tremendous satisfaction. Something so simple, but it meant so much,’ says Ian Donald.
Most people don’t realise that glasses need to be adjusted regularly, to fit your face properly.
Our optical dispensing team is here to guide, advise and assist you 6 days a week.
We go above and beyond
Our advice will make a world of difference.
Your ability to drive greatly impacts on your social and emotional health, so we do what it takes to ensure your vision is as good as it can be.
With some common eye conditions such as presbyopia, your prescription may need more frequent changes to help you maintain optimum eyesight.
Seek the best care for age-related disease.
If you have cataracts, you could have implants during surgery, which may provide sharper vision and better contrast sensitivity than a traditional, spherical intraocular lens.
If you have diabetes, get your eyes examined at least once a year and closely follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding your diet, medications and lifestyle to reduce your risk of diabetic retinopathy, which can cause severe vision loss without warning.
We will fit you with the right pair of glasses
Your glasses will help you to see, but you may not be equipped for glare, hard-to-read signs and the other unique challenges of twilight and night-time driving.
Anti-reflective coatings can cut down on glare, and lenses developed with wavefront diagnostic technology may be able to reduce halos, starbursts, glare and other problems caused by eye aberrations.
Want to stay on the road as long as you can?
If you’re over 60, you need an eye test with Ian Donald and the team at Ian Donald Optometrist. We’d love to meet you.
We have treated generations of families in the community. Your family becomes our family.
Contact Ian Donald Optometrist today.
Meet the Author
Ian Donald
Optometrist
Ian Donald had a vision.
He was going to become a dentist. It seemed like a good plan, until his careers adviser gave him a brochure on optometry. It opened up a whole new world. The eye intrigued him. It fascinated him. Optometry captivated him. And so his whole focus changed.
Ian went on to do work experience in the very office he owns today. While studying Optometry at the prestigious UNSW, he spent hours working in that same office, doing all the things no one else wanted to do. Filing. Filing. Filing.
Learning, learning, learning. It’s part of who he is.
Even today he is constantly training and retraining, studying and staying up to date with the latest technology in eye health.
So what else energises Ian?
‘Riding my bike, being part of the community, and helping people see. It gives me the best feeling possible. We take it for granted, because we do it all day, every day. It’s such a gift to be able to give people peace of mind.’ Read More
FAQs
What does “Keeping You on the Road” refer to?
Keeping You on the Road is about ensuring your vision is safe and legal for driving — making sure your eye health, prescription glasses, and vision tests meet the driver licence or safety-standards required.
Do I need special glasses or tests for driving?
Yes — if your vision doesn’t meet legal standards, you may need corrective glasses, contact lenses, or undergo specific vision testing. Keeping You on the Road outlines what standards drivers must meet.
How often should drivers have their vision checked?
Regularly — vision can change over time, so Keeping You on the Road recommends periodic eye exams, especially if you notice blurring, glare, or reduced night vision.
What are common vision problems that affect driving safety?
Problems like reduced visual acuity, difficulty with glare, slow adaptation to light changes, peripheral vision loss, cataracts, and uncorrected refractive error can impair safe driving. The Ian Donald Optometry page discusses these key issues.
What can I do to improve my driving vision?
Ensuring you have the correct prescription glasses or contact lenses, using lens coatings that reduce glare, having your eyes checked regularly, and addressing any eye health conditions are all recommended measures. See Keeping You on the Road for detailed guidance.
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Shop 2, 37-39 The Corso,
Manly NSW 2095
Monday to Friday - 8.30am to 5.30pm
Saturday - 8.30am to 4.00pm
Ian Donald Optometrist is a private billing practice. Please contact reception for our consultation fee schedule. Medicare and private health insurance rebates apply.
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