Driving & Cataracts
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Accident Risk
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According to The Eye Digest, older drivers with cataracts are more than twice as likely to have an accident than drivers without cataracts.
Low-Contrast Problems
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Cataracts interfere with an individual's ability to see well in a low-contrast environment. This can make it especially difficult to drive in rain or fog. Low-contrast vision problems also make it difficult to see faded pavement markings and debris in the roadway.
Night Driving
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Night driving can be particularly difficult for people with cataracts because they may experience strong glare from oncoming headlights and generally poor night vision.
Driving Help
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Specialists can assess the driving skills of individuals with cataracts and help them improve those skills. Eye doctors and hospitals should have information about local rehabilitative driving specialists.
Surgery
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The University of Alabama at Birmingham reports that people who elect to have cataracts removed decrease their risk of having an automobile accident by 50 percent.
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