Study Recommends Mandatory Vision Tests for Licenses

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

The American Academy of Ophthalmology has announced that a recent study has shown that drivers who suffer from advanced glaucoma have twice as many accidents as drivers with normal vision. Glaucoma, which affects more than 2.7 million Americans age 40 and older, is an eye disease that affects the peripheral vision. Fluid pressure builds within the eye and can cause blindness if left untreated.

According to a report in Science Daily, the study was conducted by the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, located in Sendai, Japan. The researchers studied two groups, each group comprised of 36 people. One group had advanced glaucoma; the other group members had normal vision. Age, driving experience and characteristics were matched group to group. Using a driving simulator, the study found the most ‘accidents’ occurred for both groups when an object or person entered the driver’s path from the side. However, the glaucoma group had twice as many ‘collisions’ as the other group.

The results of the study suggests that that potential drivers should pass a visual field test to ensure adequate peripheral vision before a license is granted or renewed. Currently, with visual field requirements vary from state to state, only twelve states restrict licenses for those with visual impairments. The lead researcher in the study, Shiho Kunimatsu-Sanuki, M.D., said in a statement that the goal is to create safe roads for everyone. "To help ensure everyone's safety on our roadways, we would like to create mandatory vision testing guidelines for glaucoma patients. We now know that integrating the visual field test into the requirements for a driver's license could save lives,” said Sanuki.

If you have been injured in an accident cause by a driver who may have visual impairment issues, contact an experienced Orland Park personal injury attorney to find out what compensation you may be entitled to for pain and loss.