Assessment of driving safety in non-professional drivers with moderate to severe glaucoma

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to assess driving safety in non-professional drivers who have moderate to severe glaucoma. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analytical study. METHODS SETTING: It is a hospital-based study conducted in a multispecialty tertiary care institute. STUDY POPULATION: Fifty-five patients (110 eyes) above 40 years of age with moderate to severe glaucoma as per Hodapp-Anderson-Parrish classification, having a valid driving license (for at least one year). OBSERVATION PROCEDURES: Enrollees underwent a comprehensive clinical assessment along with contrast sensitivity (CS) testing with Pelli-Robson chart and binocular field testing with Esterman visual field test (EVFT). The driving habits questionnaire was administered, and driving eligibility was compared to international guidelines. PRIMARY OUTCOME: Patients having moderate to severe glaucoma as well as poor CS experience significant driving-related difficulties, have reduced driving space, and are more dependent on others for mobility. RESULTS: The mean age (years) was 61.42 ± 10.17 with a significant male preponderance (98.2%). The study population included 47.3% moderate and 52.7% advanced glaucoma patients. Twenty-two patients (40%) had CS less than 2.00 in their worse eye (mean: 1.93; Standard deviation (SD): 0.27; range: 1.4-2.3), out of which five had moderate glaucoma and seventeen had severe glaucoma. Only two patients with advanced glaucoma had CS