Cataracts and Older Driver Safety
(A podcast from the “Beyond Driving with Dignity” show)
Click here to listen to the podcast.
Today’s guest is Dr. Alan Mendelsohn, MD, FACS. For thirty years, Dr. Mendelsohn has served as a national leader in the field of ophthalmology. He attended Northwestern University’s Honors Program in Medical Education and Northwestern University Medical School, where he also completed his residency training in Ophthalmology.
At the completion of this training, the prestigious Heed Ophthalmic Foundation recognized him as one of the ten most outstanding graduating ophthalmologists in the United States.
Dr. Mendelsohn has held numerous leadership positions in both the Broward County Medical Association and the Florida Medical Association. He has also received a number of national and state-wide awards for his efforts and leadership from organizations including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Florida Medical Association, and the Florida Society of Ophthalmology. Dr. Mendelsohn has authored numerous scientific publications and has presented his findings at international and national ophthalmology society conferences.
We are most fortunate that Dr. Mendelsohn has taken time out of his very busy schedule to talk with us about cataracts and how they can adversely effect one’s safe driving abilities.
Click here to listen to the podcast.
You may find the show notes (below) helpful as you listen to the show:
00:00 Welcome to the “Beyond Driving with Dignity” podcast show!
01:27 Introducing today’s guest; renowned eye surgeon Dr. Alan Mendelsohn, MD, FACS
03:28 Today’s topic: Cataracts and how they can adversly effect one’s safe driving abilities
03:37 Welcome to the show, Dr. Mendelsohn!
0341 Blinded By the Night; Coping With Impaired Night Vision While Driving
04:35 Dr. Mendelsohn discusses his most recent article (above)
04:45 Who is most likely to get cataracts?
05:05 When will I start to develop cataracts?
05:24 Just how do cataracts effect our vision?
05:40 Night time driving and cataracts
06:35 Early signs of cataracts
08:04 How do I know if I’m going to develop cataracts?
08:34 How do cataracts effect overall driving safety?
09:36 The importance of a current prescription for my eye glasses
12:06 How do cataracts effect non-drivers?
12:56 Can we prevent the onset of cataracts?
13:47 Progressive lenses Vs. Bi-focal glasses
15:17 Understanding corridor width in progressive lenses
17:33 Pupils, the brain and night time driving
20:25 Crizal lenses to reduce glare
22:00 Eye Surgeons and Consultants (Hollywood, Florida)
22:38 The many benefits of prescription sun glasses
23:20 The tricky situation surrounding contact lenses
23:34 Mono-vision and depth perception
26:55 New technologies and cataract procedures
27:34 Thank you, Dr. Mendelsohn!
27:55 How to contact Dr. Mendelsohn
28:45 Thank you to Chris MacLellan and everyone at The Whole Care Network
29:18 Closing comments
Keeping Us Safe is a national organization that provides practical, real-life solutions to older drivers and their families. Learn more about our programs by visiting the Keeping Us Safe website at https://www.keepingussafe.org or by calling toll-free 877-907-8841.
Matt Gurwell is the developer of the nationally-recognized “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program. He currently lectures throughout the United States on topics related to the aging process and its adverse affects on driving skills. As developer of this life-saving program, Matt’s mission is to provide strategies and guidance to seniors that will help them to continue driving safely until the decision is made to retire from their driving career. The “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program also provides an excellent array of services and resources for both families and professionals as they deal with this very sensitive issue. Matt retired from a very distinguished and successful 24-year career as an Assistant District Commander with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. After leaving the Patrol, Matt has participated in a tremendous amount of work in the area of older driver research, best practices, current vehicle safety technologies, and adaptive equipment. Matt's creative, innovative and common sense approach, combined with his uncanny ability to bring calm and resolve to stressful situations without ever jeopardizing the dignity of others, has contributed greatly to the success of the “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program. When asked what the ultimate motivation was for starting the program, Matt explains: "There was never one particular event. It was the result of 20-plus years of holding dying people in my arms at terrible car accidents, and delivering dozens and dozens of death notifications to families. I would much rather work with families to bring a peaceful resolve to this sensitive and uncomfortable issue now, rather than have them deal with it when a State Trooper is knocking on their front door". Matt serves as Senior Care Authority’s Program Director for the “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program. Senior Care Authority (https://www.seniorcareauthority.com) is now the nation’s exclusive provider of the “Beyond Driving with Dignity” program.
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