Dataset Information

Bioptic Telescope Use and Driving Patterns of Drivers with Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To investigate the telescope use and driving patterns of bioptic drivers with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

A questionnaire addressing telescope use and driving patterns was administered by telephone interview to three groups of bioptic drivers: AMD (n = 31; median 76 years); non-AMD first licensed with a bioptic (n = 38; 53 years); and non-AMD first licensed without a bioptic (n = 47; 37 years). Driving patterns of bioptic AMD drivers were also compared with those of normal vision (NV) drivers (n = 36; 74 years) and nonbioptic AMD drivers (n = 34; 79 years).

Results

Bioptic usage patterns of AMD drivers did not differ from those of the younger bioptic drivers and greater visual difficulty without the bioptic was strongly correlated with greater bioptic helpfulness. Bioptic AMD drivers were more likely to report avoidance of night driving than the age-similar NV drivers (P = 0.06). However, they reported less difficulty than the nonbioptic AMD drivers in all driving situations (P ? 0.02). Weekly mileages of bioptic AMD drivers were lower than those of the younger bioptic drivers (P < 0.001), but not the NV group (P = 0.54), and were higher than those of the nonbioptic AMD group (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that bioptic telescopes met the visual demands of drivers with AMD and that those drivers had relatively unrestricted driving habits.

Translational relevance

Licensure with a bioptic telescope may prolong driving of older adults with AMD; however, objective measures of bioptic use, driving performance, and safety are needed.

SUBMITTER: Bowers AR

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5024559 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Bioptic Telescope Use and Driving Patterns of Drivers with Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Bowers Alex R AR Sheldon Sarah S SS DeCarlo Dawn K DK Peli Eli E

Translational vision science & technology 20160909 5

<h4>Purpose</h4>To investigate the telescope use and driving patterns of bioptic drivers with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).<h4>Methods</h4>A questionnaire addressing telescope use and driving patterns was administered by telephone interview to three groups of bioptic drivers: AMD (<i>n</i> = 31; median 76 years); non-AMD first licensed with a bioptic (<i>n</i> = 38; 53 years); and non-AMD first licensed without a bioptic (<i>n</i> = 47; 37 years). Driving patterns of bioptic AMD driver ...[more]

PMID: 27642541

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Project description:PurposeTo evaluate prescribed optical device use in terms of frequency and perceived usefulness among people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We also sought to determine the tasks for which they were using their prescribed low vision device(s).MethodsOne hundred ninety-nine patients with AMD presenting for the first time to the low vision service were recruited from a university-based clinic. Prior to the low vision evaluation and device prescription, they completed the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire 25, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire, and a general health questionnaire. The low vision evaluation included best-corrected Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study visual acuity, MNREAD testing, microperimetry, prescription, and dispensing of optical low vision devices. Telephone follow-up interviews were conducted about device usage 1-week, 1-month, and 3-months postintervention.ResultsOne hundred eighty-one participants were prescribed low vision devices. Of them, 93% completed all 3 follow-up interviews. Intensive users (≥1 hours/day) of devices were similar in demographic and visual characteristics to non-intensive users (<1 hours/day), except for habitual reading acuity and speed as well as contrast sensitivity. Overall, device use increased slightly over 3 months of follow-up. Magnifiers were reported to be moderately-to-extremely useful by >80% of participants at all time points except the 1-month follow-up for hand magnifiers (75%). High plus spectacles were the least frequently prescribed device and rated as moderately-to-extremely useful by 70%, 74%, and 59% at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months, respectively. Most participants used their devices for leisure reading, followed by managing bills. Very few devices (n = 3, <1%) were not used at any time point.ConclusionsPatients with AMD who are provided with prescribed optical low vision devices do use them and perceive them as useful, especially for leisure reading activities. High rates of usage were maintained over 3 month.

Dataset Information

Bioptic Telescope Use and Driving Patterns of Drivers with Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Translational relevance

Publications

Bioptic Telescope Use and Driving Patterns of Drivers with Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Similar Datasets

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