Effect of IOL Selection on Driving Habits
Narrative Responses:
Purpose
To determine if the IOL implanted at the time of cataract surgery affects the driving habits and crash risk of operated patients.
Methods
Retrospective analysis of patients who met the visual requirements for a drivers license following cataract surgery and had bilateral implantation of the same lens. The patients had at least 2 years of follow-up. Two groups of patients were identified; each with one of two types of acrylic IOLs. Both groups were given the Driving Habits Questionnaire, which has been extensively evaluated, by a single investigator.
Results
90 patients participated in the study; 51 had acrylic IOL type A and 39 had acrylic IOL type B. The demographics were similar. Group A was more likely to have road traffic accidents (P=0.066) and less likely to drive at the same speed or faster than general flow of traffic (P= 0.094). There was a tendency for Group A to be less likely to have travelled beyond their immediate neighbourhood, to be less likely to rate their quality of driving at average or above and to be more likely to have difficulty driving at night; but this did not reach significance.
Conclusion
At two years postoperatively, the choice of IOL implanted at the time of cataract surgery may have an impact on driving habit and crash risk.