Hard braking events in bioptic drivers with central vision impairment

Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics · 2025-03-27 · 2 citations

PURPOSE: Some individuals with central vision impairment can obtain or maintain driving privileges using bioptic telescopes. Previous work has often demonstrated an increased collision risk for bioptic drivers, but some on-road studies find similar safety to that of normally sighted drivers. The purpose of this study was to compare exposure-controlled hard braking and speeding events measured with naturalistic recording in visually impaired bioptic drivers and normally sighted control drivers. METHODS: Visual acuity was measured for each eye individually and through the bioptic when indicated. Contrast sensitivity was measured binocularly with the Mars chart. Binocular integrated visual fields were constructed from monocular 24-2C SITA Faster plots. A commercially available GPS recorder was installed into drivers' personal vehicles for at least 6 weeks. Total mileage, instances of hard braking, travel over 65 miles per hour (mph) and posted speed limit violations were counted. Exposure-controlled rates were calculated for each of these safety events. Driver characteristics and hard braking events were compared using median tests, and Spearman correlation was used to assess the relationships among vision measurements and driving safety events. RESULTS: Twenty licensed bioptic drivers and 20 control drivers were enrolled. Bioptic drivers were significantly more likely to perform hard braking manoeuvres than controls. Among bioptic drivers, hard braking frequency was not predicted by visual acuity, contrast sensitivity or binocular integrated visual field deviation. Bioptic drivers with poorer contrast sensitivity were more likely to travel above 65 mph. Speeding events were not related to hard braking. CONCLUSIONS: Bioptic drivers demonstrated nearly three times as many hard braking events per 1000 miles driven, but vision measurements did not predict hard braking. Bioptic drivers with poorer contrast sensitivity were more likely to drive faster than 65 mph. Further work exploring relationships among vision and driving safety in bioptic drivers is warranted.

Hazard Perception in Visually Impaired Drivers Who Use Bioptic Telescopes

Translational Vision Science & Technology · 2024 · 3 citations

• Computer Science
• Audiology
• Psychology

Purpose: Bioptic telescopic spectacles can allow individuals with central vision impairment to obtain or maintain driving privileges. The purpose of this study was to (1) compare hazard perception ability among bioptic drivers and traditionally licensed controls, (2) assess the impact of bioptic telescopic spectacles on hazard perception in drivers with vision impairment, and (3) analyze the relationships among vision and hazard detection in bioptic drivers. Methods: Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and visual field were measured for each participant. All drivers completed the Driving Habits Questionnaire. Hazard perception testing was conducted using commercially available first-person video driving clips. Subjects signaled when they could first identify a traffic hazard requiring a change of speed or direction. Bioptic drivers were tested with and without their bioptic telescopes in alternating blocks. Hazard detection times for each clip were converted to z-scores, converted back to seconds using the average response time across all videos, and then compared among conditions. Results: Twenty-one bioptic drivers and 21 normally sighted controls participated in the study. The hazard response time of bioptic drivers was improved when able to use the telescope (5.4 ± 1.4 seconds vs 6.3 ± 1.8 seconds without telescope); however, it remained significantly longer than for controls (4.0 ± 1.4 seconds). Poorer visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and superior visual field sensitivity loss were related to longer hazard response times. Conclusions: Drivers with central vision loss had improved hazard response times with the use of bioptic telescopic spectacles, although their responses were still slower than normally sighted control drivers. Translational Relevance: The use of a bioptic telescope by licensed, visually impaired drivers improves their hazard detection speed on a video-based task, lending support to their use on the road.

Use and Perceptions of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems by Older Drivers With and Without Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Translational Vision Science & Technology · 2022 · 28 citations

• Computer Science
• Medicine
• Audiology

Purpose: Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) have been reported to improve the safety of elderly and normally sighted drivers. The purpose of this study was to assess exposure to, perceived safety of, comfort level with, and interest in using ADAS among drivers with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: Current drivers aged 60+ years were recruited at four US sites to complete a survey about ADAS and driving habits. Frequency of use and/or perceptions of eight ADAS were investigated. An avoidance score was generated using questions about difficult driving situations. Results: The survey was completed by 166 participants (80 with AMD vs. 86 without). Participants with AMD had worse self-rated vision than those without (34% vs. 2% poor or fair rating), and drove fewer weekly miles (median [interquartile range [IQR] 30 [15 to 75] vs. 60 [30 to 121] miles, P = 0.002). Participants with AMD reported more avoidance of difficult driving situations (P < 0.001). There was no difference in the number of ADAS used by AMD status (median [IQR for AMD = 2.5 [1 to 5] vs. 3 [2 to 4] without, P = 0.87). Greater reported number of ADAS used was associated with less avoidance of difficult situations (P = 0.02). The majority perceived improved safety with most ADAS. Conclusions: Many drivers with AMD utilize common ADAS, which subjectively improve their road safety and may help to reduce self-imposed restrictions for difficult situations and mileage. Translational Relevance: Drivers with AMD are adopting readily available ADAS, for which they reported potential benefits, such as safety and less restrictive driving.

Head-mounted tablet device for reading and navigation in low vision

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science · 2021-06-21

Evaluation of a New Device for Distance and Reading Tasks in Low Vision

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science · 2021-06-21

Perceptions of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems by People with and without Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science · 2021-06-21

Mediators of the relationship between socioeconomic status and visual acuity in age-related macular degeneration

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science · 2020-06-10 · 1 citations

Vision, Stress, Depression, and Number of Anti-VEGF Treatments in Age-related Macular Degeneration

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science · 2018-07-13 · 2 citations

Potential Mediators of the Relationship between Socioeconomic Status and Vision in People with Age-related Macular Degeneration

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science · 2017-06-23

Measurement of Perceived Stress in Age‐Related Macular Degeneration

Optometry and Vision Science · 2017-02-22 · 14 citations

PURPOSE: To validate the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using Rasch analysis. METHODS: Study participants with AMD were recruited from the retina service of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Ohio State University during clinical visits for treatment or observation. Visual acuity with habitual distance correction was assessed. A 10-item version of the PSS was administered in large print or by reading the items to the patient. Rasch analysis was used to investigate the measurement properties of the PSS, including fit to the model, ability to separate between people with different levels of perceived stress, category response structure performance, and unidimensionality. RESULTS: A total of 137 patients with a diagnosis of AMD were enrolled. The mean (±SD) age of participants was 82 ± 9 years. Fifty-four percent were female. Median Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity of the better eye was 65 letters (Snellen 20/50), with a range of approximately 20/800 to 20/15. Forty-seven percent of participants were receiving an anti-VEGF injection on the day of the study visit. The response category structure was appropriate. One item, "How often have you felt confident in your ability to handle your personal problems?" was removed due to poor fit statistics. The remaining nine items showed good fit to the model, acceptable measurement precision as assessed by the Rasch person separation statistic, and unidimensionality. There was some evidence of differential item functioning by age and visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: The Perceived Stress Scale demonstrated acceptable measurement properties and may be useful for the measurement of perceived stress in patients with AMD.