A Demonstration Project on Driving with Reduced Visual Acuity and a Bioptic Telescope System in the Netherlands (2008)

Melis-Dankers, B. J. M., Kooijman, A. C., Brouwer, W. H., Busscher, R. B., Bredewoud, R. A., Derksen, P. H., Amersfoort, A., IJsseldijk, M. A. M., Delden, G. W. V., Grotenhuis, T. H. P. A. & Witvliet, M. D. 2008 In : Visual Impairment Research: The official publication of the International Society for Low-vision Research and Rehabilitation ISL. 10, 1, p. 7-22 16 p.

Background: In Europe, driving a passenger car is prohibited if binocular best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) is below 0.5 (20/40). Some US states allow people with reduced visual acuity to use a bioptic telescope system when driving. The aim of our study is to introduce a bioptic telescope system for driving in the Netherlands and to investigate whether it enables people with reduced visual acuity to gain sufficient practical fitness to drive in a European setting.

Conclusion: This is the first study in Europe to prepare subjects with reduced visual acuity to drive with the use of a bioptic telescope system. About 55% of the preselected subjects fulfilled all inclusion criteria. Half of the subjects who entered the bioptic training program passed the official fitness to drive test, demonstrating that they could drive smoothly and safely in Dutch traffic using a bioptic telescope system.

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