---
title: Four Examples of How Undetected Vision Problems Affect Driving
description: Here are four examples of how undetected vision problems can affect driving.
image: https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/hubfs/iStock-894138140.jpg
---

- [Make an Appointment](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/schedule-an-appointment)
- [Make a Payment](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/make-a-payment)
- [Locations](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/locations)
- [262-784-9201](tel:2627849201)

[![The Vision Therapy Center](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/hs-fs/file-554902641-png/images/layout/logo-green.png?width=149&name=logo-green.png "The Vision Therapy Center")](https://91892.hs-sites.com/homepage)

- [Home](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/old)
- [What is Vision Therapy](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/what-is-vision-therapy) 
    - [Symptoms](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/what-is-vision-therapy/symptoms)
    - [Treatment](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/what-is-vision-therapy/treatment)
    - [Functional Vision Exam](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/what-is-vision-therapy/diagnosis-functional-vision-test)
    - [ADHD](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/what-is-vision-therapy/adhd)
    - [Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/amblyopia-lazy-eye)
    - [Concussions](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/vision-problems-after-concussions-concussion-symptoms-eyes)
    - [Convergence Insufficiency](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/convergence-insufficiency-convergence-excess)
    - [Double Vision (Diplopia)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/double-vision-diplopia)
    - [Dyslexia](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/what-is-vision-therapy/dyslexia)
    - [Strabismus (Crossed Eyes)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/strabismus-crossed-eyes)
    - [Costs](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/costs-the-vision-therapy-center)
    - [Appointments and Billing](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/what-is-vision-therapy/appointments-billing)
- [About Us](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/about-us)
- [Success Stories](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/category/success_stories)
- [Resources](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/resources) 
    - [Presentations](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/schedule-a-presentation-on-vision-therapy)
    - [Studies](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/resources/clinical-studies)
    - [Parents](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/parents)
    - [Teachers](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/teachers)
    - [Optometrists](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/optometrists)
    - [News - Media](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/media-in-the-news)
    - [Links](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/resources/links)
- [Blog](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy)
- [Contact](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/contact)
- [Privacy](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/data-usage-page)

Discovering Vision Therapy Blog

# Four Examples of How Undetected Vision Problems Affect Driving

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

![Undetected vision problems affect driving](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/hs-fs/hubfs/iStock-894138140.jpg?width=600&name=iStock-894138140.jpg)

When you get a driver’s license, it’s standard to undergo a “vision test” that uses a Snellen eye chart.  However, this approach does not capture the types of undetected vision problems that can have a serious impact (I hate to use that word in this context) when driving.Undetected vision problems usually involve some type of disturbance to a person’s binocular vision.  This is often accompanied by difficulties with a host of visual skills, including tracking, focusing, and, perhaps most importantly for driving, depth perception.

 The Snellen eye chart simply doesn’t test for these types of issues.  It tests your eyesight; your ability to see objects clearly.  

This is critical for reading stop signs and street signs, but it overlooks how well you can see objects in space.  Particularly, very large objects traveling at very high speeds.

What areas does poor depth perception affect in your driving?  Consider the following:

1. **Parallel parking, and parking in general.**  You may have difficulty judging when to turn, or how much space you need.  You may not be able to fit a car into a specific space, as you can’t judge if the space is big enough.

2. **Spacing on the freeway.**  As you’re driving down the freeway, poor depth perception can make it difficult for you to merge, or to gauge how quickly other people are merging into your lane.  You may also have problems leaving enough space between your car and the car in front of you.

3. **Stopping at an intersection or a stop sign. ** People with poor depth perception often have difficulty judging when to start slowing down for a stop sign. They also have great difficulty deciding when to pull out into the intersection because it is hard to judge how quickly other cars are approaching.

4. **Parking in a garage.**  You’d think it simple, but if you lack good depth perception, parking in a tight space (or even a not very tight space!) in a garage can be a nightmare.  Dr. Knueppel recalls a patient whose husband actually made her park outside the garage and then let him finish the job, as she was so poor at the task.  

The Snellen eye chart is an important part of qualifying for a driver’s license, but it won’t detect those vision problems that could potentially lead to some serious issues.  If you or someone you know struggles with the issues listed here, scheduling a [Functional Vision Test](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/what-is-vision-therapy/diagnosis-functional-vision-test/)is a good idea.

 

[![New Call to action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/91892/9da01387-439e-4dd3-bcc4-f1593763e521.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/91892/9da01387-439e-4dd3-bcc4-f1593763e521)

Posted by   [Greg Mischio](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/author/greg-mischio)

---

## Join over 5,000 people receiving monthly updates on vision therapy! 

Enter your email below to receive our monthly enewsletter, featuring new developments in vision therapy and our latest success stories!

### About the content on this website

The content on this website has been created by The Vision Therapy Center. It was written by professional writers and then reviewed and edited for medical accuracy by the Developmental Optometrists at The Vision Therapy Center. 

### Categories

- [Success Stories (62)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/success-stories)
- [Functional Vision Problems (54)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/functional-vision-problems)
- [Vision Therapy (53)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/vision-therapy)
- [Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) (31)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/amblyopia-lazy-eye)
- [Learning-Related Vision Problems (26)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/learning-related-vision-problems)
- [Strabismus (Crossed Eyes) (21)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/strabismus-crossed-eyes)
- [Functional Vision Test (14)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/functional-vision-test)
- [Vision and Learning (13)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/vision-and-learning)
- [Concussions (12)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/concussions)
- [Convergence Insufficiency (12)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/convergence-insufficiency)
- [News (12)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/news)
- [Visual Skills (12)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/visual-skills)
- [Traumatic Brain Injury (9)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/traumatic-brain-injury)
- [Functional Vision (8)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/functional-vision)
- [ADD - ADHD (7)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/add-adhd)
- [Computer Vision Syndrome (7)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/computer-vision-syndrome)
- [Developmental Optometrist (7)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/developmental-optometrist)
- [Success Stories - CI (7)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/success-stories-ci)
- [Symptoms of Functional Vision Problems (7)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/symptoms-of-functional-vision-problems)
- [The Vision Therapy Center (6)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/the-vision-therapy-center)
- [Dr. Kellye Knueppel (5)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/dr-kellye-knueppel)
- [Visual System (5)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/visual-system)
- [Symptoms of Dyslexia (4)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/symptoms-of-dyslexia)
- [Vision and Reading (4)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/vision-and-reading)
- [Double Vision (3)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/double-vision)
- [Reading Problems (3)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/reading-problems)
- [Snellen Eye Chart (3)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/snellen-eye-chart)
- [Sports and Vision (3)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/sports-and-vision)
- [Success Stories - Amb (3)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/success-stories-amb)
- [Syntonics (3)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/syntonics)
- [Writing Problems (3)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/writing-problems)
- [3D and Vision (2)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/3d-and-vision)
- [Directionality (2)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/directionality)
- [Focusing (2)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/focusing)
- [International Children's Vision and Learning Month (2)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/international-childrens-vision-and-learning-month)
- [Paying for Vision Therapy (2)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/paying-for-vision-therapy)
- [Slant Board (2)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/slant-board)
- [Success Stories - Strabismus (2)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/success-stories-strabismus)
- [COVD (1)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/covd)
- [Eye Safety (1)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/eye-safety)
- [Lazy Eye Correction for Adults (1)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/lazy-eye-correction-for-adults)
- [Madison Reading Project (1)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/madison-reading-project)
- [Screen-Free Week (1)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/screen-free-week)
- [Special Olympics (1)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/special-olympics)
- [Spelling Problems (1)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/spelling-problems)
- [Vision Friendly Gift List (1)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/vision-friendly-gift-list)
- [Wisconsin Resources (1)](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/topic/wisconsin-resources)

[Expand](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy/bid/86476/four-examples-of-how-undetected-vision-problems-affect-driving#)

### Favorite Blogs

- [College of Optometrists in Vision Development Blog](http://covdblog.wordpress.com/)
- [The Vision Help Blog](http://visionhelp.wordpress.com/)
- [The College of Optometrists in Vision Development blog](http://covdblog.wordpress.com/)
- [EXCELerated Vision](http://wowvision.typepad.com/)
- [Bright Eyes Family Vision Care News and Updates](http://www.brighteyesnews.com/)
- [Maino’s Memos](http://www.mainosmemos.blogspot.com/)
- [American Optometric Association](http://www.aoa.org/) 

- [Home](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/old)
- [What is Vision Therapy](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/what-is-vision-therapy)
- [About Us](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/about-us)
- [Success Stories](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/category/success_stories)
- [Resources](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/resources)
- [Blog](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/discovering-vision-therapy)
- [Contact](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/contact)
- [Privacy](https://www.thevisiontherapycenter.com/data-usage-page)

**The Vision Therapy Center, Inc.** – Phone: 262-784-9201  FAX 262-784-9206

***Locations***

**The Vision Therapy Center, Inc. - Brookfield, WI**  
13255 W Bluemound Rd #200  
Brookfield, WI 53005  
262-784-9201  
****Brookfield hours of o**peration / **8 am - 6 pm M-Th  -  8 am - 5 pm F

**The Vision Therapy Center, Inc. - Madison, WI  
**4781 Hayes Rd #103   
Madison, WI 53704  
262-784-9201  
****Madison hours of o**peration /** 9:15 am - 5:45 pm Th

**The Vision Therapy Center FDL, LLC - Fond du Lac, WI  
**101 Wisconsin American Drive, Suite 800  
Fond du Lac, WI 54937  
262-784-9201  
**Fond du Lac hours of operation / **9:00 am - 6:00 pm Tues 

<http://www.youtube.com/user/visiontherapycenter><http://www.pinterest.com/visionhelpers/><https://www.facebook.com/114759278577310><https://plus.google.com/113286251356419765587><https://twitter.com/visionhelpers>

© 2026 The Vision Therapy Center