Drivers urged to book an eye test as optometrists warn glaucoma and diabetic eye disease will affect more than two million people by 2030

This Road Safety Week, The College of Optometrists and Association of Optometrists are urging all drivers to ensure they have regular eye tests to check their vision still meets UK driving standards.

Routine eye tests, recommended every two years or as advised by your optometrist, are vital to maintaining good eye health and helping to keep all road users safe. An eye test is not just about checking whether you need glasses; it is a comprehensive health check that can detect early signs of eye conditions long before symptoms appear.

Untreated or undiagnosed eye conditions can significantly affect sight. Problems with peripheral vision - your field of vision – or night vision can make it harder to read road signs, judge distance, or detect hazards such as pedestrians and cyclists. Many common conditions, including glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy, can progress silently in the early stages, meaning drivers may not realise their eyesight has deteriorated.

With an ageing population, the number of people living with common eye diseases that can impact drivers’ vision is set to increase over the coming decade.

The number of people with glaucoma is forecast to increase by 10% over the next five years, with more than one million people in the UK expected to be living with the condition by 2030*.

The number of people diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy is also projected to rise by more than 25,000 between 2025 and 2030 to 1,068,381 people – a 2.5% increase*.

Drivers are reminded that they must meet the legal eyesight standard for driving and inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if they have certain eye conditions, including:

• Glaucoma
• Diabetic retinopathy (with laser treatment)
• Blepharospasm
• Diplopia (double vision)
• Nyctalopia (night blindness)
• Retinitis pigmentosa.

Daniel Hardiman-McCartney MBE, clinical adviser at The College of Optometrists, said, “Conditions like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy can develop gradually and without obvious symptoms at first. Booking an eye test is one of the simplest and most effective actions drivers can take to see safely when driving. Your optometrist can help ensure your vision meets the required standard and that any problems are identified early, when treatment is most effective.”

Dr Peter Hampson, Clinical and Policy Director at the Association of Optometrists, commented, “We know that regular eye tests play a vital role in keeping drivers safe on the road for longer. Having that routine check can keep eyes healthy and help protect drivers vision from sight threatening conditions that sometimes simply don’t present with obvious symptoms. Early detection of issues like glaucoma, cataracts, or retinal disease allows for timely treatment that can preserve vision for many years, and by maintaining good eye health, drivers can stay confident and independent.”/p>

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Notes to Editors

*Data from the UK Eye Care Data Hub. This dashboard has been developed to estimate the current eye care workforce and eye disease prevalence or incidence, and to model future trends over time. Glaucoma data relates to primary open angle glaucoma.

For further information, please contact:

Vicky Bristow, The College of Optometrists, [email protected]
Serena Box, Association of Optometrists, [email protected]

About The College of Optometrists

The College of Optometrists is the professional body for optometry. It qualifies the profession and delivers the guidance and training to ensure optometrists provide the best possible care. We promote excellence through the College’s affixes, by building the evidence base for optometry, and raising awareness of the profession with the public, commissioners, and health care professionals.

About the Association of Optometrists 

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the voice of the optical profession, representing 80% of practising optometrists. The AOP elevates the work of its members, safeguards their interests, and champions eye health across the UK. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk