Driving confidence has decreased among mid-life New Zealanders as vision problems go unchecked, according to new research.
As winter sets in and nights grow longer in New Zealand, a new nationwide survey has revealed that vision-related confidence behind the wheel is on a sharp decline among midlife Kiwis, with some avoiding driving at night altogether.
The research, commissioned by Specsavers New Zealand, found that nearly half of midlife New Zealanders (47 percent) aged 35 to 50 feel less confident driving at night now than they did in their 20s or 30s due to vision issues.
Alarmingly, more than a third (38 percent) reported erratic driving behaviour during night-time trips (e.g. sudden braking, unsanctioned U-turns and confusing indicating), with 11 percent of respondents admitting to being involved in a car accident, while 14 percent had a near-miss because of vision problems.
Despite the substantial number of New Zealanders experiencing issues with their eyes every day, almost half (47 percent) of those surveyed haven’t had an eye test in over three years, or ever.
In light of these results, Specsavers optometrist Ian Russell is calling on mid-life New Zealanders to regularly get their eyes tested, particularly with the darker winter months now here.
Interestingly, the overwhelming majority (85 percent) of respondents were unaware that a likely cause is presbyopia, a common age-related eye condition that typically begins from around 40 years old, making it difficult to focus on near objects.
“Many people chalk up changes in their near vision to simply getting older, but what they don’t realise is that eye conditions like presbyopia can compromise more than just reading comfort, it can directly affect safety on the road, especially at night,” Russell said.
“With the darker winter months now here, it's critical for Kiwis to get their eyes checked. Trouble seeing the dashboard and difficulty switching focus from near viewing to distant viewing are red flags people shouldn’t ignore. It could make all the difference, not just to your driving confidence, but to the safety of everyone on the road.”
Common 'hacks’ masking vision problems
The research also reported that in response to vision challenges while driving at night, many have developed unconscious habits, such as leaning forward to "see better" (44 percent), squinting at street signs (32 percent) or slowing down to see them better (40 percent).
These, and other short-term workarounds, mask the issue, said Russell.
The survey revealed other common coping strategies Kiwis use to get by with declining close-up vision, including:
- Resizing screen text (38 percent)
- Using a phone torch to see more clearly (36 percent)
- Holding reading material at arm’s length (34 percent)
- Asking someone else to read small print (24 percent)
- Borrowing someone else’s glasses to read or see better (13 percent)
While these tactics might seem harmless, Russell warns they often delay proper diagnosis and treatment.
Optometrists recommend eye tests at least every two years from 18 onwards or sooner if any changes in vision are noticed. Vision changes around mid-life are common, but they shouldn’t be ignored. An eye test is the easiest and most effective way to detect presbyopia or other eye conditions and get the right treatment.
Visit www.specsavers.co.nz/book/location to find your nearest Specsavers and book an appointment.
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