Almost 6,000 drivers have had their licences revoked because they cannot see properly, according to the latest figures.
Official Department for Transport (DfT) figures show that 5,285 motorists had their licences taken away for eyesight-related reasons during 2011 -- an increase of 10 per cent over the previous year's figures.
The number of HGV and bus drivers who had their licences removed because of their vision also rose from 493 in 2010 to 685 in 2011.
In the vast majority of cases, the drivers surrendered their licences to the DVLA voluntarily; however, with no mandatory repeat eye tests, it is highly likely that many motorists are continuing to drive with eyesight which fails to meet the standard required to pass a driving test.
Drivers must, by law, be able to read a car registration plate from a distance of 20 metres (66ft). Drivers who venture onto the road with eyesight which fails to meet the required standard could face prosecution and have their car insurance invalidated.
Transport Minister Stephen Hammond told the Mail Online: "Licensing rules have an important part to play in keeping our roads safe. We must make sure that only those who are safe to drive are allowed on our roads while at the same time avoiding placing unnecessary restrictions on people's independence."
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