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Study shows some drivers with hemianopia or quadrantanopia fit to drive

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2009;50(2):577-585.

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Some motorists with hemianopia or quadrantanopia proved capable of driving safely in a controlled driving test compared with age-matched controls with normal visual fields.

The findings make a case in favor of revised licensing regulations, the study authors said.

The study included 22 subjects with hemianopia, eight subjects with quadrantanopia and 30 control subjects with normal visual fields. Study subjects had a mean age of 53 years; controls had a mean age of 52 years.

All eligible subjects took the driving test accompanied by a certified driving rehabilitation specialist in a dual-brake vehicle. The 14.1-mile test route encompassed 6.3 miles of city driving and 7.8 miles of interstate driving. Twelve subjects with hemianopia and seven with quadrantanopia drove the interstate segment of the route.

Data showed that 16 of the 22 subjects with hemianopia (73%) and seven of the eight subjects with quadrantanopia (88%) scored safe driving scores. However, some drivers with limited visual fields had difficulty with lane position, steering steadiness and gap judgment.