2010 BC Guide in Determining Fitness to Drive

Although telescopic spectacles, hemianopia aids and other low vision aids may enhance visualfunction, there are significant problems associated with their use in driving a motor vehicle.These include the loss of visual field, magnification causing apparent motion and the illusion ofnearness. There has been little research to evaluate the use of telescopic lenses for driving byindividuals with low vision. Although limited, studies indicate that drivers with low vision whodrive with telescopic lenses have higher crash rates. These studies were not controlled fordriving exposure, suggesting that the crash rates per kilometre driven may be substantially higherthan reported.Given the known issues, OSMV currently does not allow the use of telescopic lenses for driving.Prism lenses/eye patchIndividuals with binocular diplopia may be able to compensate for their impairment with the useof prism lenses or an eye patch.Driving in daylight onlyIndividuals who have a vision impairment may be able to compensate for their impairment bydriving during daylight hours only.Strategies to compensate for visual field lossIndividuals with visual field loss may be able to compensate for their reduced visual field bypracticing more rigorous scanning techniques involving more frequent eye and head movement.265