Alex Bowers – Doctor
Driving with Central Vision Loss
The likelihood of having impaired central vision (e.g., reduced visual acuity or reduced contrast sensitivity) increases with age. In the United States, people with central vision loss may be permitted to drive on a restricted license (e.g., no highway driving), which is important for maintaining independence and quality of life. However, impairments in central vision may adversely affect responses to hazards and increase collision risk. In this talk I will provide an overview of our research investigating the effects of central vision loss on detection of hazards in a driving simulator, the use of advanced driver assistance systems (e.g., hazard warning systems) by drivers with central vision loss and the effects of these assistance systems on their driving performance and safety.
The effects of hemianopia & assistive devices on hazard detection when driving
Hemianopic field loss (HFL) is the loss of half the field of vision on the same side in both eyes. The most common causes are stroke and traumatic brain injury. People with HFL are permitted to drive in some states in the US and some countries in Europe (under an exceptional case provision). However, drivers with HFL may have difficulty seeing hazards on the side of the field loss, which is a safety concern. In this talk I will provide an overview of studies which have used the safe, controlled, repeatable environment of a driving simulator to evaluate the effects of HFL on detection of potential hazards and to quantify the effects of devices (peripheral prism glasses and driver assistance systems) to assist with hazard detection