Dry Eye’s Impact on Driving Performance

We all know that dry eye can be uncomfortable and irritating but did you also know it can affect your visual performance? A recent study out of The Center for Clinical Investigation of Quinze-Vingts National Ophthalmology Hospital in Paris, France evaluated the impact of dry eye disease on visual performance while driving. The study assessed visual ability using a driving simulator displaying randomly located targets with differing levels of contrast. Number of targets seen, location of targets, and response times were recorded for subjects with dry eye disease and their control group. The number of missed targets and the response times were significantly increased in the dry eye group. This was more pronounced in situations that involved crossroads and roundabouts – instances where visual function is more critical to safe driving. If you are worried about dry eye affecting your vision, then please schedule a dry eye workup with Dr. Bodkin.