This study investigates the visual experience of low-vision older adults who continue to drive and examines how their declining vision affects their performance of both daily and driving tasks. In the study, nonimpaired and low-vision older adults responded to a questionnaire regarding the types of visual difficulties experienced while performing daily tasks and while driving. Using the factors produced from a factor analysis as predictors, a discriminant analysis was performed to determine whether significant differences in visual problems existed between the groups. The majority of participants reported that they currently required more time than in the past to perform tasks that depended on their vision, regardless of their visual status. All participants reported experiencing significant difficulties with static and dynamic acuity, peripheral vision, illumination problems, and contrast sensitivity. Both nonimpaired and low-vision older adult drivers also reported experiencing difficulty with glare, peripheral vision, and night driving. Low-vision older drivers reported experiencing unique difficulties with near acuity, distant acuity, and physical obstructions. These findings could be useful for automobile designers and highway engineers in their attempts to accommodate the needs of older drivers.
Samenvatting