Evaluation of visual acuity in drivers as studied in Kolar district

M S Padmajothi,Sri Archana Shetty,M C Chaitra

doi:10.51131/ijpccr/v2i1.6

Abstract

To assess the visual acuity, identify the cause for reduced vision & to advice patients regarding correction of vision in drivers for safe driving. Analysis of a cross-sectional study of people having a history of driving — two-wheeler, four-wheeler or autorickshaw was done. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) less than 6/6 in the better eye were selected for the study through screening camps for KSRTC bus drivers, Autorickshaw drivers and patients coming to the OPD of R L Jalappa Hospital & Research Center in Kolar district, having a history of driving a two-wheeler, four-wheeler & autorickshaw were included. Patients who have stopped driving due to reduced vision were excluded from the study. After taking an informed consent, patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination. Those patients who were identified as having decreased vision were advised regarding the necessary treatment. Out of 706 patients, 87.99 % of drivers in this study were males and majority belonged to the age group between 20-30 years. 29.17 % of patients did not have driving license though they were driving either 2 or four-wheeler vehicles or Autorickshaws. 41% of patients did not have any eye checkup prior to our examination and after our examination was done 58.9% of patients were advised spectacle correction. This highlights the need for intensified health education to encourage drivers who experience these defects to seek prompt medical help and advice. The prevalence of refractive errors among the study population also indicates the need to enforce the law on comprehensive eye examination by appropriate professionals, as enshrined in the law, rather than just measuring visual acuity prior to acquiring or renewing drivers’ licenses, as is currently the case. Keywords: Best corrected visual acuity; drivers; reduced vision; RTA

Highlights

Good vision is a fundamental component of safe driving, being one of the most important sensory factors for this activity, accounting for about 95% of all sensory requirements
Commercial vehicles are the major source of motorized transport in many low-income countries
Patients who have stopped driving due to the reduced vision were excluded from the study

Summary

Introduction

Good vision is a fundamental component of safe driving, being one of the most important sensory factors for this activity, accounting for about 95% of all sensory requirements. [1] For this reason, drivers with good vision have an advantage over those with poor vision as far as Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) are concerned. [1] In the absence of good public transport infrastructure such as railways, most people rely on them for commuting, with the role of commercial driver being evident. Because vision impairment is much more prevalent in later adulthood, many studies on vision and driver safety and performance focus on adults >50 years old. Because of this focus on the older adult population, other medical and functional co-morbidities common in late adulthood are potential confounders in understanding the relationship between vision and driving. Study designs that make use of older adult populations to study associations between vision and driving must consider cognitive comorbidities whenever possible

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