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Toric contact lenses improve driving safety
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Patients with astigmatism demonstrated improved tactical driving when corrected with toric contact lenses, according to a study recently published in Optometry and Vision Science.
Cox and colleagues reported that these improvements were not seen in those without correction or those corrected with spherical lenses.
To evaluate any relationship between driving performance and correction, researchers conducted a within-subject, single-masked, crossover, randomized study with 11 participants with astigmatism (−0.75 D to −1.75 D).
Participants drove a virtual reality driving simulator, Driver Guidance System (General Simulation) in three scenarios: without correction, with toric contact lens correction (Acuvue Moist for Astigmatism, Johnson & Johnson) and with spherical contact lens correction (Acuvue Moist). Researchers measured various driving abilities, including contrast sensitivity, visual acuity and reaction times, as well as driving skills such as speed management, braking and steering.
Results showed that driving performance was significantly safer with toric contact lens correction. Driving performance without correction and with spherical contact lens correction was found to be similar.
"If the original hypothesis (that contact lens wearers with low to moderate astigmatism exhibit better simulated driving performance with toric lenses than with spherical lenses) can be confirmed, the scope of these results would extend beyond contact lens wearers to include drivers who have uncorrected astigmatism from other sources, such as wearing outdated spectacles that do not correct emerging astigmatism or residual astigmatism after surgical lens extraction," the authors concluded. "The results could have significant personal, professional/clinical and public policy implications for drivers with astigmatism."
They noted: "Subjects with astigmatism may reduce their risk of being involved in a driving collision by wearing a correction for astigmatism while driving. Clinicians may be more likely to encourage the use of toric lenses for their patients with astigmatism. Insurance companies and departments of motor vehicles may even require this type of correction to extend insurance coverage or the privilege to drive. Further, this finding may imply potential benefits in other activities of daily living, such as playing sports, for example." – by Chelsea Frajerman
Disclosures: The authors reported no relevant financial disclosures.
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