The majority of patients with glaucoma leads despite the limited visual field.

World Glaucoma week.

-Accidents to pedestrians and collisions by overtaking or money are the main consequences of driving with glaucoma

-La Rementería Foundation will carry out free reviews to professional drivers

Madrid, March of 2013– most patients with glaucoma believes that they can lead without limitations despite having a reduced field of vision that makes them have more risk of accidents and abuse pedestrians. As was reflected in a study conducted by the Rementeria Foundation on the occasion of the world Glaucoma week, which offer free revisions of vision professional drivers who request it through your website. In this campaign, in which collaborates Glaucoma Association for family and affected intends thus to raise awareness about the risks posed by glaucoma in driving and the need for diagnosis early.

The results of the study of the Foundation Rementeria reflect that two-thirds of the patients believe that they see well, but a third of them ensures look much by mirrors to help the ride, the same percentage that find it difficult to adapt to changes in lighting when entering a tunnel.

Glaucoma affects more than one million Spaniards, although it is estimated that half are undiagnosed. “Glaucoma does not affect central vision, so many patients are not aware of the risk which is for them and for others the fact of not seeing on the sides,” explains Dr. Beatriz Puerto, the Foundation Rementeria glaucoma specialist. “one of the greatest dangers of accident in drivers with glaucoma are the twists and the overtaking of other vehicles”, since do not perceive the side approximation unless they are looking all the time by the rear-view mirror”, explains. Two-wheel (motorcycle, bikes, mopeds) vehicles “are particularly vulnerable,” added.

danger to pedestrians

pedestrians also have special risk to cross against a driver with glaucoma “since not seen his approach from the sidewalk, they see it when already it is ahead,” warns Dr. port. In 2011 the abuses to pedestrians caused more than 10,000 victims, according to the Directorate General of traffic (DGT), of which 367 were killed and more than 1,800 injured of a serious nature. 90% Occurred by day and with favorable weather conditions.

The DGT points to glaucoma as one of the most influential in the field of view factors and stresses that, in adverse weather, such as rain or fog, this decrease in visual acuity poses a high risk for driving. “can a person with glaucoma, without knowing it, have an increased risk of accidents at the wheel”, says Dr. José Manuel Benítez Castle, Professor of ophthalmology at the Complutense University of Madrid. This specialist is recommended for people with limitations in the field who come to the eye doctor to be diagnosed and find out if they should stop driving. The current psychological tests for driving licence do not measure visual field, so, as warns the doctor Benítez Castle, “a person with glaucoma can be described as suitable for driving even if you only see as through a lock”.

julio Calle Sánchez Hermosilla, President of the Association of Glaucoma to affected family members, appeals to the “responsibility” of the patients to stop driving when they begin to see reduced his field of vision.

A study published in the journal BMC Ophthalmology of February reveals that glaucoma and the loss of Visual field that originates “they are associated with a greater likelihood of stop driving and a greater limitation of driving in the elderly”.

Glaucoma is irreversible but the goal of treatment is to “prevent its progression”, emphasizes Dr. port. Topical medication (eye drops) and surgery to reduce intraocular pressure, their main cause are used for this.