Citation

Szlyk JP, Mahler CL, Seiple W, Vajaranant TS, Blair NP, Shahidi M. J. Rehabil. Res. Dev. 2004; 41(3A): 347-358.

Affiliation

Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Chicago Health Care System, West Side Division, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. janeszly@uic.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15543451

Abstract

This study identifies clinical vision measures or retinal structural measures associated with the driving performance of diabetic retinopathy patients. Twenty-five licensed drivers with diabetic retinopathy (median age, 53 years; range, 34-72 years) completed clinical tests (visual acuity, letter contrast sensitivity, and Humphrey 30-2 visual fields) and structural examinations (retinal thickness analysis and fundus photograph grading of retinopathy and laser scarring). Driving performance was assessed with an interactive driving simulator and a driving history questionnaire. Increased retinal thickness was significantly correlated with a higher frequency of simulator accidents and near accidents. Laser scar grades significantly correlated with steeper brake-response slopes, increased brake-pressure standard deviation (SD), and longer response times. Subjects with focal laser scars had significantly higher average brake-pedal pressure and brake-pressure SD than subjects without focal laser scars. Retinal thickness and laser scarring correlated with driving simulator performance in subjects with diabetic retinopathy.

Language: en