Cataracts affect more than half of people over age 80, and many individuals experience symptoms earlier. If you’ve been diagnosed with cataracts, you may still drive comfortably at first. Over time, however, the condition can interfere with key visual abilities, especially at night.

You may begin to notice halos around lights, glare from headlights and streetlights, or reduced contrast sensitivity. These changes can make driving more difficult and potentially dangerous, and may eventually affect your ability to renew your driver’s license.

Fortunately, cataract surgery can restore clear vision, helping you drive confidently again. 

Understanding how cataracts impact your ability to drive is an important step in maintaining both your safety and your independence.

Can You Drive with Cataracts?

Driving safely requires good vision. You need to clearly see road signs, judge distances and react quickly to changing traffic conditions. Cataracts can negatively affect these abilities. Many patients report that oncoming headlights cause blinding glare, road markings are harder to see and judging distance becomes more challenging due to decreased depth perception.

Regular eye exams are the best way to assess whether cataracts are affecting your ability to see well enough to drive safely, and whether it’s then time to consider surgery.

In Florida, you aren’t required to report cataracts to the DMV. But when renewing your license, you may have to take a vision test. If you fail the test, your renewal will be denied, and you will no longer be legally allowed to drive.

When Should You Stop Driving If You Have Cataracts?

Initially, when the clouding from cataracts is minor, most people can continue to drive. You should stop driving when you experience any of the following:

• Headlights or street lights are too bright, causing glares that are blinding and forcing you to look away from the road.
• Halos or glares become excessive, impacting your ability to drive during the day or at night.
• Clouding or blurring is such that you no longer meet the legal limit to drive in your state.

If you notice frequent close calls or are in multiple accidents, your vision may be to blame. If you find yourself hesitating behind the wheel, feeling unsure in familiar settings or actively avoiding driving at night, it's time to consult an ophthalmologist who specializes in cataracts.

What’s the Best Way to Treat Cataracts?

If cataracts are beginning to interfere with your driving or daily life, surgery is the only effective treatment. This quick, outpatient procedure replaces the clouded natural lens with a clear artificial one, restoring sharp, vibrant vision.

Most patients experience noticeable improvement almost immediately. You could be back in the driver’s seat within a few days to just a couple of weeks.

If you’ve started feeling less confident behind the wheel, especially at night, cataracts could be the cause. Schedule your comprehensive eye exam today by contacting North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care at 352-373-4300.