Mandatory eye tests to be enforced for drivers over 70 – expert shares how vision deteriorates with age

Vision experts are encouraging Britain’s older drivers to prioritise their eye health following the government’s announcement of plans to introduce mandatory eyesight checks for drivers over 70.

The new road safety measures, which will be published in full tomorrow, come after shocking RAC figures1 showed UK road deaths increased to 1,633 last year, with nearly 30,000 killed or seriously injured.

With nearly six million over-70s still on the road, and numbers increasing each year, clinicians warn the figures would get worse if action isn’t taken now.

In response, vision and eye health expert Dr Stephen Hannan has highlighted how age-related vision decline can happen sooner – and more subtly – than many people expect.

Dr Hannan, Clinical Services Director at Optical Express, said: “With the government now considering tougher rules for over-70s, it’s more important than ever that older motorists take their eye health seriously. Regular vision and health tests should be seen as every bit as essential as an MOT or insurance.

“You might think your eyesight hasn’t changed – but from your 40s onwards, the eye is already ageing. The lens inside your eye becomes stiffer and less flexible, making it harder to focus on close objects. Over time, this can lead to cataracts, where the lens clouds and scatters light.

“As we age, contrast sensitivity declines – making it harder to spot hazards like a grey car on a rainy day. The pupils shrink and let in less light, making night driving tougher. Peripheral vision narrows, and the eyes take longer to adapt between light and dark. All of this can affect your safety on the road.

“The danger is that these changes happen slowly, so people don’t realise their vision has slipped – sometimes until an accident happens.

“Mandatory eye tests for over-70s are a vital safety measure – but the truth is, age-related sight changes often start long before that. The earlier we detect them, the easier they are to fix, and the longer people can keep driving safely.

“Age-related sight changes can start years before you turn 70, and early detection allows for simple interventions that can restore safe vision and keep people driving for longer.

“An eye test is quick, painless, and often life-benefiting. Sometimes it’s as simple as updating your prescription or treating cataracts. That small step could make the difference between safe driving and a serious accident.”

To help older Brits maintain their independence and stay road safe, Optical Express is urging all over-70s in the UK to book an Advanced Eye Test.

Available at select Optical Express clinics across the UK, the Advanced Eye Tests go beyond the standard check. Every patient who attends an Advanced Eye Test at Optical Express undergoes a series of diagnostic tests, the results of which are much more innovative than those provided during a standard eye test. They can spot early warning signs of eye conditions like glaucoma and cataracts, issues that often creep up unnoticed but can have an impact on driving ability.

For more information or to book an Advanced Eye Test, visit www.opticalexpress.co.uk, call your local clinic or book in person.