A project introducing bioptic driving for people with reduced visual acuity in the Netherlands is reported. After a pre-selection process, 36 subjects (visual acuity: 20/125 - 20/40) were invited for assessment (vision, mobility, neuropsychological, motivation and driving skills). Sixteen subjects did not meet the inclusion criteria and two decided not to participate. The remaining eighteen subjects were trained to use a monocular bioptic telescope. They successfully completed a pre-driving training and received driving lessons from specialised driving instructors. Nine subjects passed the official practical fitness to drive test. Seven were excluded on the basis of their driving performance, and two withdrew on their own initiative. This is the first study in Europe to prepare subjects with reduced visual acuity to drive with a bioptic telescope system. Half of the subjects who entered the bioptic training program passed the official fitness to drive test of the Netherlands Bureau of Driving Skills Certificates. (Author/publisher)
Abstract