First Author: N.Deschamps FRANCE
Co Author(s): X. Ricaud A. Labb C. Baudouin A. Denoyer
Purpose:
Visual function was assessed using specific driving simulator together with dynamic analysis of wavefront aberrations in order to evaluate the impact of visual quality degradation due to dry eye disease (DED) on driving skills.
Setting:
Center for Clinical Investigation (CIC INSERM 503), Quinze-Vingts National Ophthalmology Hospital, Paris, France.
Methods:
Twenty dry eye patients and 20 age- and sex-matched control subjects were prospectively included. Vision-related driving ability was assessed using a specific driving simulator (Develter Innovation, Paris, France): randomly displayed targets with progressive increase in contrast had to be identified during a 5-km road circuit in photopic conditions. Other examinations included serial measurements of corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) for 10 s after blink, vision-related quality of life questionnaire (Ocular Surface Disease Index[OSDI]), and clinical scoring of ocular dryness. The number of targets seen, response time to identify each target, and target location were compared between groups and further analysed in relation with the other data.
Results:
Percentage of targets missed as well as average response time were significantly increased in DED patients as compared to controls (P<0.01). Precisely, the visual function and contrast sensitivity of DED patients were impaired in specific driving situations such as crossroad and roundabout approaches. In DED patients, the response time was found to positively correlate with the progression index for HOAs (P<0.05) and with the OSDI " symptoms" subscale (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
Degradation of ocular optical qualities related to DED is associated with visual impairments during driving. This study objectively demonstrates the impact of tear film-related aberration changes on performing activities of daily living in DED. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE?: No
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