The road is no place to test your eyes - Research reveals Australians would risk lives by neglecting to wear glasses when on the road

New research has revealed that almost half of prescription wearers would go without their glasses when driving.

In results likely to alarm road safety campaigners and health professionals alike, 48% of prescription wearers admitted that if they forgot their glasses when going on a short trip, they would carry on driving without them.

Australia’s leading supplier of eye care, OPSM, commissioned the study into Australians and eye care. According to the survey of over 1,100 Australians, respondents are knowingly and unknowingly taking risks both on our roads, and with their vision, due to inaction and lack of understanding of eye care.

Regionally, Queensland and Victoria prescription wearers were most likely to drive without glasses, with 48% admitting they would pop to the shops even if they realised they’d forgotten their glasses. New South Wales respondents were not far behind with 44% willing to replicate this risky behaviour.

NRMA Motoring & Services Group CEO Tony Stuart says, “Motorists risk serious injury to themselves and others if they neglect to wear their glasses while driving as more than 90 per cent of driver's information comes from visual cues.”

Men surveyed were found to be the worst perpetrators of inaction when it comes to eye care:

· 26% of males who don’t wear glasses admit they’ve never had an eye test but suspect they need vision correction

· 21% of males who believe they need vision correction have done nothing about this in the last 2 to 5 years

Australian women fare no better:

· 1 in 5 females claim they’ve been told to wear glasses but don’t want to

The study also revealed that Australians care less about their eyes than their general health, only 63% of respondents have had an eye test in the last two years compared to 74% of people confirming they’ve visited a GP in the same time period.

Optometrist, Dr Emma Gillies, PhD BSc(Hons) comments: “All Australians should visit the optometrist for an eye test every two years. The optometrist will not only check for any vision correction issues but will also look for eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, which may show no symptoms prior to diagnosis.”

Good eyesight is so important when driving to ensure Australians are not endangering themselves or other road users” Dr Emma Gillies added.

To book an eye test at an OPSM store, call 13 20 20 or visit www.opsm.com.au

Visit OPSM: www.opsm.com.au

Babynews Release Date: 20th November 2009

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