[Hypoglycemic and vision impaired. When is a diabetic patient unfit to drive?]

Every physician providing care to diabetics will at some time be asked whether driving is allowed. The answer is often determined by the type of sequela that may develop, in particular diabetic retinopathy. Among the metabolic conditions, hypoglycemia is important. But the fitness of a diabetic to drive may be impaired more by such associated conditions as CHD or hypertension than by the diabetes as possible to drive, near-normal glucose levels and intensive counseling are necessary, to ensure not only that the patient can carry out the required control measures, and self-medicate, but also is able to recognize threatening hypoglycemia in good time. Good documentation of the physician's surveillance is the basis for the determination of fitness to drive by an independent expert.