Driving

The loss of the privilege of driving is perhaps the number one issue of concern to the low vision population. In a world of instant gratification where people can just hop in the car and everything is at their fingertips, the loss of America’s primary mobility tool can be devastating. Many people are unable to drive to work or continue living in an area without public transportation. People who have been independent for a lifetime suddenly must rely on relatives or friends to drive them to where they want to go. Since the driver’s license is such a symbol of independence, the loss can result in psychological and emotional trauma.^1-2 However, with proper instruction, and in some cases the right tools, many people with low vision can remain safely on the road.