Cataract Crash Risk

Cataract Crash Risk

Severe impairment of contrast sensitivity in older drivers with cataracts is the leading factor in their increased risk for motor vehicle collisions, says Cynthia Owsley, Ph.D., director of clinical research for UAB's ophthalmology department. "Drivers with cataracts are much more likely to be involved in a crash than those without. Further, drivers who have been in car crashes are as much as eight times more likely to have poor contrast sensitivity than crash-free drivers." Drivers with poor contrast sensitivity have trouble seeing objects in shadow. Owsley's research, published in the June issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, found that contrast sensitivity was linked to crash involvement, while visual acuity and disability glare were not.

Contact Bob Shepard, Media Relations, 205-934-8934 or [email protected].

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