Visual Standards in a Sample of Dentists Working within Scotland

Abstract

Introduction This study aims to measure the visual acuity of practising dentists and to establish the average time elapsed since their last routine eye examination. Materials and methods Distance visual acuity, near visual acuity, convergence, accommodation, contrast sensitivity, heterophorias and stereoscopic vision were measured in a diverse group of 46 dentists practising in Scotland. Results The results indicated that distance visual acuity was at least 6/6 for all but one of the subjects. All had acceptable near visual acuity. Accommodation followed the expected age-related trend of decreasing with age. No subjects had a definitely abnormal contrast sensitivity score although four were in the borderline zone. No subjects had a horizontal squint but two had a significant vertical phoria. Three subjects had no stereoscopic vision and one subject had a very high threshold level. All other subjects were able to see stereoscopically. Of the subjects 57% had been for an eye examination within the previous two years, with the range being from less than one month to 17 years. Conclusion The eyesight of this group of clinicians exceeds generally accepted normal population values. Although the majority of the clinicians had attended for an eye examination within two years, the large range of time since last attendance is of concern and regular eye examinations are to be encouraged.