The Association of Optometrists of Ireland has called for compulsory eye testing for drivers at regular intervals throughout their driving career.
Its chief executive Peter Coleman said the current combination of bad weather and the shortest days of the year puts added stress on the eyes while driving.
"If a driver's sight is defective, this poses a significant risk to him or her, to other drivers and to pedestrians," he said.
Coleman said it is against the law to drive with uncorrected defective vision under current legislation.
All drivers who apply for a provisional driving licence must take a sight test to prove they are able to drive with or without corrective lenses.
He pointed out that when an individual reaches 65 they must have regular health and eye checks to prove they are fit to drive.
"A driver may be only 17 or 18 years old when undergoing the eye examination for the provisional licence.
"This individual's eyesight can change very quickly and in only a few years they may no longer meet the vision requirements to drive with uncorrected vision," he said.
Coleman said certain vision problems would only show up when the driver is tired or has had even one alcoholic drink.
The driver may feel they have perfect eyesight but might have underlying problems they are unaware of. These types of defects, he said, can only be picked up by proper eye examinations carried out by a qualified eye care professional such as an optometrist.
Coleman said regular eye examinations were also important for drivers in the older age groups.
Many changes that occur in the eye are age-related and can compromise an individual's ability to drive, he said.
"Poor vision compromises road safety and for this reason, the association calls for a change to the current legislation to introduce compulsory eye sight testing for drivers at regular intervals throughout their driving career."