With car dashboards looking increasingly space-age, and the introduction of bright LED headlights and street lamps, the need for optimised vision when driving is greater than ever. OT  found out more

Driving lenses are supporting patients with optimised performance tailored to modern road conditions.

ECPs should consider the full driving environment and under what circumstances the glasses are to be worn

I think it is a great opportunity for the ECPs to offer a second pair of glasses or talk more about these task-specific lenses

Reflecting on the value that activity-specific or occupational lenses can provide, Robertson told OT: “I think it is a great opportunity for the ECPs to offer a second pair of glasses or talk more about these task-specific lenses and say: ‘because you do a lot of driving, there is another pair of lenses specially for that.’ The patient benefits when they are driving, and it increases sales for the practice too.” Sanders suggested that it makes sense to offer “specialist vocational solutions” to all patients as part of the consultative work required to determine their best visual solution. “More people are realising, particularly after lockdown, that one pair of glasses is no longer enough,” he shared. By advising patients on these visual issues and solutions, Zeiss’ Hopkins and Gupta suggested that eye care professionals can help drivers and pedestrians to feel safer on the road. RAC research has found that 22% of drivers wear lenses that reduce glare for driving, the professional services managers pointed out, adding: “With so many options now available from different manufacturers, it is important that ECPs keep up to date, make clinically relevant lens recommendations, and satisfy both a market need and a business opportunity.” “It is important however, to manage patient expectations and be clear that no solution will eliminate dazzling glare effects for drivers completely,” they added. Advice for examining drivers Henry Leonard, head of clinical and regulatory for the AOP, shared key advice for practitioners to remember when examining drivers. First, it is important to record whether they are a group one (car/motorcycle) or group two (bus/lorry) driver, because group two is required to meet a higher vision standard. “You should record whether the patient currently wears a correction for driving, and any advice you have given on what type of correction might be suitable for them in future,” Leonard said. Optometrists may be asked to complete a form for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, such as the vision section on the D4 Medical Examination report for group two drivers. Leonard explained that completing this incorrectly can have “serious implications” for group two drivers, as well as practitioners. Detailed advice on completing the D4 form can be found on the AOP website. “If you feel that a patient’s vision no longer meets the minimum standard, you should communicate this clearly but sensitively, and record the advice you have given,” Leonard shared. “It’s often helpful to reinforce this advice in writing, and the AOP has published a range of resources to make this easier, which can be found within the guidance on Driving and the DVLA.” Following a July change to the Road Traffic Act 1988, optometrists are also now permitted to complete DVLA medical questionnaires. Doctors are now able to refer medical questionnaires to other healthcare professionals, including optometrists. Read more about the change on OT, with the AOP planning further guidance for members. The AOP hosts an annual campaign on the importance of sight tests for drivers, calling for a change in the law to ensure drivers have their sight tested regularly. More on the Don’t swerve a sight test campaign can be found on the AOP website.

Henry Leonard, head of clinical and regulatory for the AOP, shared key advice for practitioners to remember when examining drivers. First, it is important to record whether they are a group one (car/motorcycle) or group two (bus/lorry) driver, because group two is required to meet a higher vision standard. “You should record whether the patient currently wears a correction for driving, and any advice you have given on what type of correction might be suitable for them in future,” Leonard said. Optometrists may be asked to complete a form for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, such as the vision section on the D4 Medical Examination report for group two drivers. Leonard explained that completing this incorrectly can have “serious implications” for group two drivers, as well as practitioners. Detailed advice on completing the D4 form can be found on the AOP website. “If you feel that a patient’s vision no longer meets the minimum standard, you should communicate this clearly but sensitively, and record the advice you have given,” Leonard shared. “It’s often helpful to reinforce this advice in writing, and the AOP has published a range of resources to make this easier, which can be found within the guidance on Driving and the DVLA.” Following a July change to the Road Traffic Act 1988, optometrists are also now permitted to complete DVLA medical questionnaires. Doctors are now able to refer medical questionnaires to other healthcare professionals, including optometrists. Read more about the change on OT, with the AOP planning further guidance for members. The AOP hosts an annual campaign on the importance of sight tests for drivers, calling for a change in the law to ensure drivers have their sight tested regularly. More on the Don’t swerve a sight test campaign can be found on the AOP website.

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