Rebecca A. Deffler, Thomas W. Raasch, Bradley E. Dougherty First published: 22 April 2026 https://doi.org/10.1002/ovs2.70022Digital Object Identifier (DOI) More jurisdictions allow bioptic driving than did when previous reviews were published, and more research on performance and safety has been conducted. This review discusses the history of bioptic driving, summarizes the evidence regarding safety, and suggests future directions for research. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Add some more info about this item... The purpose of this study was to investigate the telescope use behaviors in natural daily driving of people with reduced visual acuity licensed to drive with a bioptic (a small spectacle-mounted telescope). Conclusions: In daily driving, the bioptic drivers mostly (>98% of driving time) drove under low visual acuity conditions. The bioptic telescope was mainly used for observing road and traffic conditions in the distance for situational

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

Amy L. Doherty, BA; Alex R. Bowers, PhD; Gang Luo, PhD; et al Objective To evaluate the ability of the fellow eye to detect stimuli in the area corresponding to the ring scotoma (blind area) of a monocular bioptic telescope in simple conditions (conventional perimetry) and in more visually demanding conditions. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate fellow-eye detection in the area of the ring scotoma with a monocular bioptic telescope under mo

Cucuras M, Chun R, Lee P, Jay WM, Pusateri G Purpose: We surveyed bioptic and non-bioptic low-vision drivers in Illinois, USA, to determine their usage of global positioning system (GPS) devices. Conclusions: Since non-GPS users were significantly older than GPS users, it is likely that older participants would benefit from GPS technology training from their low-vision eye care professionals. Read Here Low Vision Driving with Bioptics: An Overview (2004) Chuck Huss and Anne C

Chuck Huss and Anne Corn Abstract: This article presents an overview of driving for adolescents and adults who meet their states’ visual requirements for low vision driving using bioptic lenses. It also discusses the outcomes of two studies of bioptic driver education. Read more

Cucuras M, Chun R, Lee P, Jay WM, Pusateri G Purpose: We surveyed bioptic and non-bioptic low-vision drivers in Illinois, USA, to determine their usage of global positioning system (GPS) devices. Conclusions: Since non-GPS users were significantly older than GPS users, it is likely that older participants would benefit from GPS technology training from their low-vision eye care professionals. Read more

Lisa Kamino, OD, San Diego, California Driving, often a goal for patients with low vision, is associated with personal independence for many individuals. Oftentimes, an optometrist may be the first person who informs a patient that they do not meet visual acuity requirements for driving. In this respect, it is important for optometrists to be familiar with the laws in their individual states and if permitted, to consider whether their patients may be candidates for bioptic te

Dougherty BE, Flom RE, Bullimore MA, Raasch TW Purpose: Bioptic telescopic spectacles (BTS) can be used by people with central visual acuity that does not meet the state standards to obtain an unrestricted driver’s license. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among visual and demographic factors, training hours, and the results of road testing for bioptic drivers. Conclusion: New bioptic drivers without previous nonbioptic driving experience required mo

Amy L. Doherty Eli Peli Gang Luo Purpose: The safety of bioptic telescopes for driving remains controversial. The ring scotoma, an area to the telescope eye due to the telescope magnification, has been the main cause of concern. This study evaluates whether bioptic users can use the fellow eye to detect in hazards driving videos that fall in the ring scotoma area. Conclusions: Detection of driving hazards is impaired by the addition of a secondary reading like task. Detection

C.Owsley Being a licensed driver in the United States and many other countries facilitates health and well-being. Based on the vision standards in most states, individuals with worse than 20/40 visual acuity who desire licensure are denied through the usual licensure application process. However, >40 states have bioptic telescope licensing programs where applicants can gain licensure contingent on meeting specific requirements. Despite the existence of the bioptic telescope a

Politzer MR. Erratum in J Am Optom Assoc 1995 Oct;66(10):602. Background: The use of a bioptic telescope for driving purposes has been controversial. This controversy has been fueled by confusion over which vision skills are needed for driving and how they are measured and developed. To make this issue even more complex, there are no standardized programs for evaluating patients and teaching basic vision skills needed to drive safely. Methods: This paper will address vision s

Szlyk JP1, Seiple W, Laderman DJ, Kelsch R, Stelmack J and McMahon T This study evaluates a vision rehabilitation program aimed at training persons with central vision loss to use a bioptic telescope for improving life skills, including driving. It also compares the outcomes of subjects who are given bioptic telescopes and training, with subjects who are prescribed telescopic lenses without training. Conclusions revealed there was significant improvement in visual skills with

Joanne M. Wood, Gerald McGwin, Jr, Jennifer Elgin, Karen Searcey, and Cynthia Owsley Professor Wood as an Australian expert in bioptic research, conducted this study in the United States with fellow above researcher. Purpose: To compare the on-road driving performance of visually impaired drivers using bioptic telescopes with age-matched controls. Method: Participants included 23 persons (mean age = 33 ± 12 years) with visual acuity of 20/63 to 20/200 who were legally license

Eliezer Peli and Fernando Vargas-Martin This document (US patent) addresses the importance of the bioptic telescope system. It provides images of the bioptic telescope’s design, a detailed description of the invention’s field, background, and also a general summary of the product. Read more

Alex R. Bowers, Doris H. Apfelbaum and Eliezer Peli ​Purpose: Visually impaired people are permitted to use bioptic telescopes for driving in many states in the United States. However, it has been suggested that the telescope is used only to meet the visual acuity criteria for licensure. In this study, a survey was used to establish the extent to which bioptic telescopes are used by and meet the driving needs of people with moderately reduced visual acuity. Conclusion: The bi

Claude Vincent PhD, OT(c), Jean-Paul Lachance OD, MEd & Isabelle Deaudelin BSc Research out of Canada, this study sought to compare road safety of new drivers with low vision who have followed a specific pilot bioptic training program with other groups of drivers all matched for age and driving experience. The number of new drivers involved in at least one accident and who committed at least one offense is not greater for users of a bioptic telescope than for drivers of in th

Cynthia Owsley, Gerald McGwin, Jr, Jennifer Elgin and Joanne M. Wood This article compares self-assessed driving habits and skills of licensed drivers with central visual loss who use bioptic telescopes to those of age-matched normally sighted drivers, and to examine the association between bioptic drivers' impressions of the quality of their driving and ratings by a “backseat” evaluator. Conclusions revealed that bioptic drivers show insight into the overall quality of their

Howard Larkin Because driving is so dependent on out for restriction, Dr Peli points out.vision, common sense dictates that driving must be unsafe beyond a certain threshold of visual impairment. This idea is so compelling that traffic authorities worldwide restrict or prohibit driving by persons with defects in visual acuity and often in visual field. Problem is, the scientific evidence linking these clinical measures of vision to unsafe driving performance is weak to non-ex

Bradley E. Dougherty, Roanne E. Flom, Mark A. Bullimore, and Thomas W. Raasch The purpose of this study was to determine significant associations among previous driving experience, vision, and motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) for bioptic drivers in Ohio. Method: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who received a vision examination and subsequently obtained bioptic licensure. We obtained driving records from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles in order to determine MVC

Oberstein SL, Boon MY, Chu BS, Wood JM Background: Eye-care practitioners are often required to make recommendations regarding their patients' visual fitness for driving, including patients with visual impairment. This study aimed to understand the perspectives and management strategies adopted by optometrists regarding driving for their patients with central visual impairment. Method: Optometrists were invited to participate in an online survey (from April to June 2012). Ite

By Dr Eli Peli This articles discusses low vision driving using a bioptic telescope. The author introduces the subject be reinforcing 'Driving is a privilege not a right'. Discussing the USA context talks to the impact of inability to obtain a licence, such as "...social isolation, economic difficulties, and limits access to healthcare and other services... increase depression amongst the elderly... younger people loss or inability to gain driving privileges limits job opport

Bioptic Driving Movie by Low Vision Centers of Indiana In March 1971, California licensed the first bioptic driver. ​Produced by the Low Vision Centers of Indiana , this movie explains the steps in becoming a bioptic driver, who is a good candidate and the training to become licensed. Animations explain how the bioptic is used. The movie is an ideal starting point for someone interested in bioptic driving. It features Dr. Laura K Windsor, patients of the Low Vision Centers of

Robert Chun, Maria Cucuras, Walter.M Jay In this review, the authors discuss the current perspectives of spectacle-mounted telescopes (bioptics) used for driving among patients with vision impairments. The history, design, driving laws surrounding bioptic use, and developing programs in The Netherlands and Canada are discussed. Patients who have certain visual requirements and stable disease status may be eligible candidates to consider using a bioptic aid for driving. Given

Kooijman AC1, Melis-Dankers BJ, Peli E, Brouwer WH, Pijnakker P, Van Delden G, Van Pluuren E, Van Iddekinge B, Derksen P, Busscher RB, Bredewoud RA, Van Rosmalen JH, Postema FJ, Wanders I, De Vries J and Witvliet JM In many states of the U.S.A., people with moderately reduced visual acuity e.g., 20/50 - 20/200) can legally drive with the aid of a small, spectacle-mounted ("bioptic") telescope. In this paper, we describe the framework of the project from conception through to