driving and vision. the importance of good vision for driving can not be overemphasised
TRANSCRIPT
Driving and vision
Driving and vision
The importance of good vision for driving can not be overemphasised
Visual standards for a regular Australian driver’s license
• You must be able to see AT LEAST the “6/12” line on the eye chart
• Your horizontal visual field must be more than 120 degrees
• These tests are binocular
Other visual reasons for not driving• Double vision when looking straight ahead
• Loss of vision in one eye
– should not drive for three months after
loss
• Eye infections
• Poor night vision
Visual standards – commercial vehicle license
Visual standards
for a commercial
vehicle license are
more rigorous than
those required for
a regular license
Reasons for decreased vision
• Refractive error - short-sightedness,
long-sightedness or astigmatism
• Ocular disease - cataract, glaucoma
or age-related macular degeneration
• Injury to the eye
Diagram of an eye
Diagram of an eye
Normal focus
Short sightedness (Myopia)
Distance vision blurry, near vision usually ok
Short sighted focus Short sighted correction
Long sightedness (Hyperopia)
Difficulty seeing clearly and comfortably up close
Long sighted focus Long sighted correction
Astigmatism
• The eye is shaped more like a football
than a basketball
• Focusing error that causes blur in one
direction
Correcting refractive error• A tint may be useful
• Especially important at
night or in wet
conditions
• Some people who pass
the test still feel more
comfortable with glasses
Cataract
• Cloudiness in lens of eye
• Usually gradual loss of vision
• Common after 60
• May require surgery
Normal retina
optic nervemacula
retinal blood vessels
Age-related macular degeneration
• Deterioration of central retina
• Loss of central vision
• Distorted vision, patches missing
• Some treatment available
Diabetic retinopathy
• Changes to retinal blood vessels
• More likely when– Person has been diabetic for a
long time
– Blood sugar is not controlled well
• Some treatment is available
• Regular review is necessary
Glaucoma• Disease of optic
nerve• Loss of peripheral
vision• Prevalence
increases with age and family history
• Treatment best in early stages
Colour vision defect• Most commonly
red/green• 8% of males,
0.5 % of females
• Varies in severity• Can affect brightness
of traffic lights and brake lights
Colour vision defect
Having a colour vision defect is not a
restriction to getting a normal license,
however it may prevent you from
obtaining a license for a commercial
motor vehicle
Regular eye examinations
• Talk to your optometrist about how often
your eyes should be tested
Optometrists
• Provide a comprehensive visual
examination
• Detect and diagnose eye health problems
• Prescribe and supply glasses and contact
lenses when required
• Diagnose and treat eye coordination and
focussing problems
Optometrists
• Are university educated and undertake
continuing professional education
• No referral is required
• Eye tests attract a medicare rebate
To find an optometrist
• Optometry Australia
www.optometry.org.au
• Yellow Pages