Ocular disease and driving

Abstract

As the driving population ages, the number of drivers with visual impairment resulting from ocular disease will increase given the age‐related prevalence of ocular disease. The increase in visual impairment in the driving population has a number of implications for driving outcomes. This review summarises current research regarding the impact of common ocular diseases on driving ability and safety, with particular focus on cataract, glaucoma, age‐related macular degeneration, hemianopia and diabetic retinopathy. The evidence considered includes self‐reported driving outcomes, driving performance (on‐road and simulator‐based) and various motor vehicle crash indices. Collectively, this review demonstrates that driving ability and safety are negatively affected by ocular disease; however, further research is needed in this area. Older drivers with ocular disease need to be aware of the negative consequences of their ocular condition and in the case where treatment options are available, encouraged to seek these earlier for optimum driving safety and quality of life benefits.

Key words:

• age‐related macular degeneration
• cataract
• diabetes
• driver's vision
• glaucoma

Acknowledgements

Preparation of this paper was supported by NHMRC 1008145 and NHMRC 1045024.