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Physicians should advise glaucoma patients about driving options, enforce driving laws, clinician says
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 Eydie Miller-Ellis |
SAN DIEGO — With the population aging and more elderly drivers likely on the road in the future, physicians need to be vigilant about discussing driving options with glaucoma patients and reporting those with impairment from vision loss, a clinician said.
"Glaucoma patients are at higher risk of having accidents than non-glaucoma patients," Eydie Miller-Ellis, MD, said at Glaucoma Day preceding the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting here. "Physicians do have a responsibility to protect their patients and to protect the public. The law has some vision requirements and restrictions that are meant to protect its citizens. And so, should we report people who we think are dangerous? Certainly, if they do not meet the law, we absolutely should report them."
Dr. Miller-Ellis said patients can seek senior driving courses and/or occupational therapists who can help with safer elderly driving.
HIPAA rules are not violated when physicians report patients to the state, she said. She outlined how, in the state where she is based, Pennsylvania, it is the law that medical professionals report patients who have conditions that could impair their driving ability. She said rules differ on a state-by-state basis.
She recommended the "AMA Physician's Guide to Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers" for physicians to learn more.
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