Abstract
Purpose :
Driving experience prior to the need for a bioptic lens is one of the most favorable prognostic factors in succesful driving with a bioptic lens, i.e., reduced accident rates (Dougherty, B. et al. 2015). We characterized the referrals to the WV bioptic driving program from the WVU Eye Institute low vision clinic of first time, unexperienced, drivers who will require a bioptic lens to obtain WV licensure.
Methods :
A retrospective chart review was performed to find patients who were 20 years or younger at the time of evaluation and fitting of bioptic lens between 2014-2017. We looked at eligiblity criteria for the bioptic driving course under WV laws . Patient characteristics such as best corrected VA, VA with bioptic lens, color vision, Humphrey VF, and primary ocular diagnosis were considered. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the findings. These data were compared with previous research on adult bioptic drivers.
Results :
Of 19 total referrals, 5 females and 14 males, albinism(9) is the most common diagnosis. Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP,3) is the second most common diagnosis followed by chorioretinal coloboma(2), optic atrophy(2), achromatopsia(1), blue cone monochromatism(1), and cone dystrophy(1). ROP is a diagnosis included among the juvenile bioptic referrals not found among older WV drivers referred for bioptic driving. Twelve referrals were excluded based on criteria for bioptic driving in WV; 5 had visual acuity < 20/40 with a bioptic, 4 because of color deficits, and 2 because of VF constriction. In total, 63% of first time driving referrals failed entry into the WV bioptic driving program. Only 2 referrals have enrolled in the WV bioptic driving program and one is now licensed.
Conclusions :
Compared to drivers who have acquired vision loss and are secondary drivers with a bioptic lens, primary bioptic lens users have different pathologies leading to referral. Similar to the adult cohort, albinism is the leading diagnosis of referral. ROP is the second most common diagnosis followed by chorioretinal coloboma(2) and optic atrophy(2). Attrition (63%) in the driving program may be due to limited resources, 6 month required learning permit for < age 18 in WV, and the arduous 21 step process of bioptic lens program including 6 weeks of consecutive on-site training.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2018 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29 - May 3, 2018.