Sudmann, Thea Melsen, Jonsdottir, Thora Elisabet, Rowe, Fiona J 
ORCID: 0000-0001-9210-9131 and Jørstad, Øystein Kalsnes
(2022)
National application of the European visual field standards for driving: a survey study.
BMJ Open Ophthalmology, 7 (1).
e000904-e000904.
Abstract
<jats:sec><jats:title>Aims</jats:title><jats:p>To provide an overview of how the European visual field standards for driving (specified in Commission Directive 2009/113/EC) are applied and determine whether individuals with visual field defects are treated equally across Europe.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>One ophthalmic expert from each of 32 European countries was invited to participate in an electronic survey. They were presented with threshold and Esterman perimetry results of 15 cases of visual field defects and asked to classify each case as either passed or failed in reference to their national standards. The results were compared with the European Driving Test Group 1 (EDT1), which is a new perimetry algorithm that adheres to the recommendations by the Eyesight Working Group. Fleiss’ kappa was used to determine the inter-rater agreement.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>Twenty-five countries responded. Three of 15 cases were passed by all. Full agreement on a failed case was not reached. Denmark graded most leniently and passed 12 cases. Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia graded most strictly and passed five cases. The Fleiss’ kappa score was 0.52 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.55). Only Slovenia was in full agreement with the EDT1. Fifteen countries endorsed specific perimetric tests for assessing fitness to drive. Five of these also defined pass/fail criteria.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>The directive fails to establish a uniform approach to the visual field requirements, as evident by moderate pass/fail agreement between the national experts. Because the visual standards for driving are enforced differently, identical visual field loss can result in either revocation or approval of a driving license.</jats:p></jats:sec>
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | diagnostic tests, investigation, field of vision |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Mar 2022 10:29 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Jan 2023 21:11 |
| DOI: | 10.1136/bmjophth-2021-000904 |
| Open Access URL: | https://bmjophth.bmj.com/content/7/1/e000904 |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3150501 |
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