Can people with RP drive?
This is a difficult question. Many people with RP do drive legally, and do not have problems. Legal vision requirements for a driver’s license vary widely from state to state. It would be best to discuss your visual limitations and their effect on driving with your eye care professional. Driving is a symbol of independence and people with progressive vision loss may be unwilling to admit that their vision impairment may affect safe driving. Often people with RP speak of “near miss” accidents that force them to confront their vision loss and acknowledge that they can no longer drive safely. It is important to remember that your driving affects not only you but other drivers and pedestrians, and that the results of a wrong decision can be life threatening.
