Citation

Monestam E, Lundqvist B. J. Cataract Refract. Surg. 2006; 32(1): 50-55.

Affiliation

Department of Clinical Sciences/Ophthalmology, Umeå University, Sweden. eva.monestam@vil.se

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jcrs.2005.06.052

PMID

16516778

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine results and associations between subjective visual difficulties while driving and objective visual function in drivers who had cataract surgery 5 years previously. SETTING: Norrlands University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden. METHODS: This prospective outcomes study examined 189 active drivers who had cataract surgery 5 years earlier. Visual acuity and low-contrast visual acuity (LCVA) were measured, and a questionnaire with driving-specific questions (VF-14 based) was completed. The results were compared with data before and after surgery. RESULTS: Five years after cataract surgery, only a small proportion of patients (3%) drove without fulfilling the visual requirements. Few patients (5%) reported visual difficulties while driving in daylight, but a large proportion (43%) experienced difficulties in darkness, with glare being the most common problem. There was a statistically significant association between an LCVA of less than 20/50 and reporting subjective visual difficulties while driving (odds ratio OR, 2.6; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.1 to 6.8). Women had 1.8 times the odds of reporting visual difficulties compared with men (95% CI, 1.0 to 3.5). CONCLUSIONS: Most active drivers had excellent visual acuity and no difficulty with daytime driving and distance estimation 5 years after cataract surgery. A large proportion of patients experienced difficulties while driving at night. These data suggest an adjusted association between LCVA and self-assessed visual difficulties while driving 5 years after cataract surgery. Our data confirm the importance of LCVA in relation to driving, especially in darkness.

Language: en