If you have dry AMD, driving isn’t necessarily off the table
Patients who receive a dry AMD diagnosis may fear losing their independence – but with appropriate treatment and management, people living with dry AMD can often continue driving and doing other activities that support an active and independent lifestyle.
Can you drive safely with macular degeneration?
For many people, driving represents a sense of independence, control and freedom. With your hands on the wheel and your foot on the gas pedal, the world is yours when you’re seated in your vehicle – you’re free to go wherever you like, to do as you please and to embark on exciting adventures. Even if you’re just running errands, driving to work or visiting a friend, the freedom to go where you want, when you want to, is empowering.
If you’ve been a safe driver for years but were recently diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), don’t despair. While AMD is a major cause of age-related vision loss – it’s the leading cause of vision loss amongst people 50 years or older [1] – it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have to give up your driver’s license and lose the joy and privilege of driving.
Understanding AMD: How it impacts vision and daily life
AMD is a progressive eye disease that affects central vision as a result of waste build-up at the centre part of the back of the eye, also known as the macula.[2] Since the macula is responsible for the detailed vision that’s required for daily activities such as reading, driving and recognizing people’s faces,[2] AMD can absolutely cause a significant impact on one’s quality of life.
Dry AMD vs. Wet AMD: What it means for your vision and activities
There are two types of AMD, dry AMD and wet AMD. The type that you’ve been diagnosed with can make a difference in your outcomes and in your ability to continue doing activities such as driving. The most common form of AMD is dry AMD, and it accounts for about 80 per cent to 90 per cent of all cases.[1],[2] If you’ve been diagnosed with dry AMD, you’ll likely notice your central vision deteriorating over time, with symptoms getting slowly and progressively worse.[2] The second type of AMD is called wet AMD, which is a more serious form of macular degeneration and involves symptoms that progress more rapidly.[1]
The impact of Dry AMD on driving and daily life
While dry AMD is less serious than wet AMD, it can still have negative effects on one’s visual acuity. While it often starts out symptom-free,[1] symptoms appear as dry AMD progresses, including blurred central vision[2] and, eventually, if untreated, a bigger blurred area in one’s central field of vision that interferes with activities such as driving.[2]
As dry AMD progresses, its symptoms often create challenges – such as difficulty seeing the road and reading traffic signs – that make driving safely impossible.
MacuMira Vision Therapy: A game-changer for driving with Dry AMD
Fortunately, there are treatments available that can extend and even improve many daily activities, including driving. If you’re concerned that your dry AMD is limiting your ability to drive or that it will do so in the future, speak to your eye care practitioner about treatment options – such as MacuMira Vision Therapy – to reduce the vision impairment caused by dry AMD.
MacuMira Vision Therapy is the only clinically-approved treatment for dry AMD in Canada. Using non-invasive eyelid surface neurostimulation, it delivers a patented microcurrent through patients’ closed eyes, helping to restore visual acuity.
If driving and maintaining your sense of independence are important to you, MacuMira Vision Therapy can be a critical aid in ensuring you’re able to continue driving safely and legally.
Disclaimer: Always speak to your primary health care provider and/or eye care provider before making any changes to your lifestyle, activities or diet.