Quantifying age-related differences in visual-discrimination capacity: drivers with and without visual impairment

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of aging as well as visual impairment on retinal-image quality and visual performance in drivers. We use a new visual test called Halo v1.0 software for quantifying the discrimination capacity, an important visual function for evaluating the visual disturbances perceived by the observer. The study included 55 subjects with normal vision and 15 older subjects with cataracts. All subjects were examined for visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual-discrimination capacity and optical quality. Subjects also completed a subjective Driving Habits Questionnaire (DHQ). Older drivers with and without visual impairment showed significantly (p < 0.05) worse visual performance and deteriorated retinal-image quality, even when their binocular visual acuity was ≥20/25. In conclusion, some visual functions are considerably diminished in older drivers, even when visual acuity is sufficient to get or renew a driver's license. Halo software enables easy quantification of night-vision disturbances such as halos, which could impede the detection of pedestrians, cyclists, or traffic signals, thereby making this system advisable in clinical practice, e.g. in the requirements for a driver's license, particularly for older drivers.