Through the Looking Glass

Abstract

There is little literature available that investigates glaucoma and its relationship with driving. The few studies that have been conducted are varied in methodology and the results available are highly inconsistent. With an ageing population and heavy reliance on driving for personal mobility, further research into measuring the impact of glaucoma and driving is crucial to ensure a sustained quality of life for the elderly. The potential for future research is discussed.

Prescribed anti‐glaucoma medication consumption and road traffic crash

“…Older drivers with glaucoma are less confident on roads and modify their driving habits. 17 One cohort study in the United States demonstrated that older drivers with diagnosed glaucoma drove at least safely as their peers without glaucoma and showed no greater crash risks. 23 A Japanese study found that older glaucoma patients show greater driving self-restriction.…”

“…The designs of these studies, however, vary significantly, thus impeding the generation of consensus recommendations. 13,[16][17][18] Both findings from the real-world and simulation studies yield conflicts. For example, one French cohort study indicated that glaucoma did not increase crash risk, 19 whereas other studies reported drivers with glaucoma are more prone to traffic crash involvement than those without glaucoma in both the real-world and simulation studies.…”

“…It should be noted that a consistency observed among most studies is that individuals with glaucoma are more likely to self-regulate and restrict their driving, especially in highly demanding situations. 6,17,19,23 However, the simulation studies were not capable of reflecting the selfregulation behaviors on driving that people imposed.…”

The Social Context of Driving Cessation: Understanding the Effects of Cessation on the Life Satisfaction of Older Drivers and Their Social Partners

“…A variety of studies have found that factors, such as older age, female gender, and lower socioeconomic status (SES), are associated with restrictions in driving behavior and ultimately driving cessation (Anstey, Windsor, Luszcz, & Andrews, 2006; Chipman, Payne, & McDonough, 1998; Edwards et al, 2008; Horowitz, Boerner, & Reinhardt, 2002; Meng & Siren, 2015). In addition, age-related vision loss, including decreased visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and reduced field of vision caused by age-related impairments, such as cataract, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, has been found to be associated with greater difficulties with driving, more driving restrictions, increased accident rates, and greater likelihood of cessation (Agramunt et al, 2016; Blane, 2016; Campbell et al, 1993; Dellinger et al, 2001; Diniz-Filho et al, 2016; McGwin, Chapman, & Owsley, 2000; Owsley et al, 1998; Sengupta et al, 2014). Vision loss is also one of the primary justifications given by older drivers for why they might eventually change their driving behavior and a common reason provided by former drivers for why they stopped driving (Campbell et al, 1993; Dellinger et al, 2001).…”

Performance na condução de automóvel por pacientes portadores de glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto: atenção dividida e discriminação de objetos

“…Vários estudos mostraram que pacientes com glaucoma tendem a modificar os seus hábitos de dirigir, como resultado da percepção de dificuldades com a sua visão (52,87) .…”