Relation between perceived driving disability and scores of vision screening tests

• Published in: British journal of ophthalmology Vol. 86; no. 11; pp. 1262 - 1264
• Main Authors: van Rijn, L J, Wilhelm, H, Emesz, M, Kaper, R, Heine, S, Nitsch, S, Grabner, G, Völker-Dieben, H J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JR BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01-11-2002; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; Copyright 2002 British Journal of Ophthalmology
• Subjects: Automobile Driving; Biological and medical sciences; Contrast Sensitivity; Disability; driving; Family medical history; Humans; Medical sciences; Medical screening; Middle Aged; Ophthalmology; Quality of life; Questionnaires; Scientific Correspondence; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vision disorders; Vision Tests; Visual Acuity; Visual Fields; Germany; Human; Clinical test; Eye disease; Questionnaire; Vehicle driving; Vision disorder; Medical screening
• ISSN: 0007-1161; 1468-2079
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.86.11.1262

Aim: To determine the relation between perceived driving disability and vision screening tests. Methods: 93 subjects, aged 50 years and over, with binocular visual acuity of at least 20/80. Perceived driving disability (PDD) was assessed by a questionnaire. Subtracting daytime from night-time driving question scores revealed PDD at night (PDDN), subtracting scores of questions for driving in familiar places from those in unfamiliar places revealed PDD at unfamiliar places (PDDU). Results: PDD was strongly related to visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and useful field of view (UFOV). Specific relations existed between PDDN and Nyktotests and Mesotests and between PDDU and UFOV. These associations were enhanced in a subset of subjects with better visual acuities. Conclusions: Vision screening tests correlate well with perceived driving disabilities, especially when a subtraction method is used in the questionnaire to reveal condition dependent disabilities. Additional tests for visual acuity are useful, especially in subjects with better visual acuity.