Abstract
Purpose :
To assess the proportion of ophthalmology patients attending macula clinics at an academic centre who currently drive but do not fulfil the DVLA (Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency) visual acuity requirements for driving.
Methods :
A prospective study of 100 patients with diagnosed macular disorders using examination and patient questionnaires at the outpatient department of the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh. The main outcome measures were vision tested against DVLA vision criteria, driving habits, and demographic characteristics of assessed patients.
Results :
57% (n=57) patients assessed were still driving. Of these, 28.1% (n=16) were at a high-risk of failing the DVLA test based on visual acuity. 36.6% (n=15) of the patients who were at low-risk of failing the DVLA test, described variable visual acuity. 76.5% (n=13) of all patients who noticed that their visual acuity was variable (n=17) reported that they self-regulated their driving on direct questioning. However, when asked about limiting their driving using a questionnaire, only 58.8% (n=10) reported that they limited their driving. 52% (n=13) of patients who had conditions reportable to the DVLA (n=25), had not reported them.
Conclusions :
Our study highlights the significant prevalence of macular patients who drive despite not meeting DVLA standards. There is a cohort of macular patients who remain driving when their visual acuity fluctuates between treatments such that they are intermittently driving when they are potentially not conforming to the legal standards. Additionally, we found that patients often fail to disclose reportable conditions to the DVLA. Non-compliance with the legal requirements for driving represents a potential safety risk. We have also developed a practical tool to evaluate patients' adherence to the DVLA driving criteria, for use by UK Ophthalmology units.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.