Bioptic Telescopic Spectacles and Driving Performance: A Study in Texas

Abstract

The safety of driving an automobile with Bioptic Telescopic Spectacles (BTS) is controversial, yet statistical analysis of driving performance may help resolve questions. All 64 persons licensed to drive in Texas with BTS and who had driven at least one year were compared to a random control group. BTS drivers had 1.34 times more accidents than controls ( p< 0.05). Although telescope users do not have a significantly higher chance of having a first accident, BTS drivers who were involved in one accident are likely to have more accidents than control subjects. The telescope-using drivers were at fault in 82 percent of their 22 accidents, while 40 percent of the controls were faulted in their 15 accidents. Visual field losses with bilaterally fitted telescopes are profound. A direct correlation between any specific ocular defect and a particular accident is difficult to determine.