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Abstract #51282 Published in IGR 14-3
A Population-Based Examination of the Visual and Ophthalmological Characteristics of Licensed Drivers Aged 70 and Older
Owsley C; McGwin G; Searcey KThe journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences 2013; 68: 567-573
BACKGROUND: Safe driving performance depends on visual skills yet little is known about the prevalence of vision impairments in older drivers and the eye conditions that cause them. This study is a population-based examination of the prevalence of vision impairment and major ophthalmological conditions among drivers aged 70 and older. METHODS: The source population was a random sample of 2,000 licensed drivers aged 70 and older residing in north central Alabama. All had driven within the past 3 months. Binocular visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were assessed. The Useful Field of View subtest 2 and Trails B assessed visual processing speed. Ophthalmological diagnoses for cataract, intraocular lens placement, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy were obtained through medical records from the most recent eye examination. RESULTS: Ninety-two percent of drivers had visual acuity of 20/40 or better; only two drivers (0.1%) had acuity worse than 20/100. Ninety-three percent had normal contrast sensitivity (≥1.5). About 40% had slowed visual processing speed (44%, Useful Field of View; 38%, Trails B). The most common eye condition was cataract, with more than half having cataract in one or both eyes (56%); yet by the 80s and 90s, the prevalence was low, with most drivers having undergone cataract surgery and intraocular lens placement. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study suggests that serious impairment in central vision-visual acuity or contrast sensitivity-is rather uncommon in older drivers; however, slowed visual processing speed is common.
Address correspondence to Cynthia Owsley, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 700 S. 18th Street, Suite 609, Birmingham, AL 35294-0009. E-mail: owsley@uab.edu.
Full articleClassification:
6.6.3 Special methods (e.g. color, contrast, SWAP etc.) (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods > 6.6 Visual field examination and other visual function tests)
