•Dr Priscilia Imade
Welcome to the Ember Months. The Ember Months are a season of increased travel, family reunions, celebrations and long road journeys.
As we prepare our vehicles and plan our trips, there is one important safety check we should not overlook: our eyes —your eyes are your first safety tool.
Driving depends heavily on good vision. Drivers need to clearly see road signs, pedestrians, vehicles, traffic lights, road markings and unexpected hazards.
Poor or reduced vision can affect reaction time, depth perception and the ability to identify dangers, especially when driving at night.
GOOD VISION FOR NIGHT DRIVING
Headlight glare, poorly lit roads, rain, dust and reduced visibility can make night driving challenging.
If you experience blurred vision, excessive glare, difficulty seeing at night, frequent squinting or difficulty reading road signs, it is important to have your eyes checked.
Good vision is more than seeing clearly. Safe driving requires more than good distance vision. Peripheral vision, depth perception, contrast sensitivity and night vision all contribute to safe driving.
Some vision problems also develop gradually without obvious symptoms, making regular eye examinations important — even when you feel that your eyesight is fine.
TRAVEL CHECK LIST
Before embarking on a long journey this Ember season:
1) Have your eyes professionally examined.
2) Ensure your glasses prescription is up to date.
3) Keep your lenses clean and clear.
4) Avoid driving when excessively tired.
5) Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
6) Avoid distractions such as using your phone while driving.
7) Take regular breaks on long journeys.
At Modern Eye Clinic, we believe that eye care is not only about treating eye problems; it is also about helping people live, work and travel safely.
As you prepare your vehicle for your Ember journey, remember to prepare your eyes too.
A simple eye examination could identify a vision problem you may not even know you have.
SEE WELL. DRIVE WELL. ARRIVE SAFELY.
*Dr Priscilia Imade is CEO, Modern Eye Clinic, Lagos. E-mail: moderneyecliniclagos@gmail.com
Another edition of the column returns on Monday in The Frontier.
