2010 BC Guide in Determining Fitness to Drive

GlaucomaApproximately 67 million people worldwide have glaucoma, with more than 250,000 affected inCanada. Two percent of people over the age of 40 have glaucoma and the prevalence increasesto 4% to 6% in people over 60. Those at increased risk for developing glaucoma include Blacks,those over the age of 60, and individuals with a family history of glaucoma.Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness, accounting for between 9% and 12% of allcases of blindness. The rate of blindness from glaucoma is between 93 and 126 per 100,000population 40 years or older.Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)In Canada today, more than two million people over the age of 50 have some form of ARMD,with the numbers projected to triple in the next 25 years due to the aging of the population. DryARMD is more common than wet ARMD, accounting for 85% of all cases of ARMD. Thegreatest risk factor for acquiring macular degeneration is age. Other risk factors include gender(females more at risk than males), race (Caucasians more at risk than Blacks), smoking, andfamily history.Retinitis pigmentosaThe worldwide prevalence of retinitis pigmentosa is approximately 1 in 4,000. Based on thisprevalence rate, approximately 8,500 individuals in Canada currently suffer from retinitispigmentosa.21.4 Prevalence and incidence of vision impairments resulting from medicaltreatmentsLaser surgery – LASIK and PRPThe incidence of unresolved complications in refractive surgery (e.g. LASIK) patients sixmonths after surgery has been estimated to range from 3% to 6%.21.5 Vision impairments and adverse driving outcomesMyopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia (refractive errors) and low visionThere is a considerable body of research examining the relationship between static visual acuityand driving performance. Despite the obvious importance of vision when driving, research hasfailed to find a strong relationship between the two. One of the primary reasons for this ismethodological. Given that most jurisdictions have minimum vision requirements for licensing,individuals with significant vision impairments are not licensed and therefore not included inmeasures of driving performance.261