Association of lens opacities, intraocular straylight, contrast sensitivity and visual acuity in European drivers.

PURPOSE: To study the relationship between lens opacity and intraocular straylight, visual acuity and contrast sensitivity.

METHODS

We investigated 2422 drivers in five clinics in different European Union (EU) member states aged between 20 and 89 years as part of a European study into the prevalence of visual function disorders in drivers. We measured visual acuity [Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart], contrast sensitivity (Pelli-Robson chart) and intraocular straylight (computerized straylight meter). Lens opacities were graded with the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS) without pupillary dilation. Participants answered the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire - 25.

RESULTS

Intraocular straylight was related more strongly to LOCS score than to both visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were correlated to each other well, but to intraocular straylight to a much lesser extent. Self-reported visual quality was best related to contrast sensitivity; night driving difficulty was best related to visual acuity.

CONCLUSION

Straylight is found to have added value for visual function assessment in drivers, whereas if visual acuity is known contrast sensitivity has limited added value.