The effect of monovision contact lens wear on driving performance

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A number of studies have highlighted the problems with driving reported by wearers of monovision contact lens corrections. In this study, we wished to investigate this further, by determining whether driving performance as measured on the open road under daytime conditions is worse when drivers wear their monovision contact lenses compared to their habitual correction. METHODS: Thirteen subjects with healthy eyes and corrected visual acuity of 6/6 were selected. Each had worn monovision contact lenses for at least three months. All subjects had their driving performance assessed while driving their own vehicles on an open road course, with both monovision contact lenses and their other habitual correction (spectacles or unaided). RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in driving performance when subjects wore their monovision contact lenses compared to when they wore their habitual distance correction. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that monovision does not adversely affect driving performance in daylight hours for adapted wearers. However, limitations in the study design are acknowledged, including the relatively small sample size, lack of standardisation of the habitual correction and the use of adapted wearers. Future studies are recommended to investigate these issues further.

Monovision: a review

“…A study of 13 participants who had worn monovision for at least 3 months evaluated driving performance in daylight under open road conditions with monovision and with their own habitual correction (spectacles or unaided). The findings indicate that monovision does not adversely affect driving performance (Wood et al, 1998). Although these results only apply to daytime conditions, Back et al (Back et al, 1992) found that monovision may provide better vision (but worse stereoacuity) at scotopic light levels than bifocal contact lenses.…”

“…A study of 13 participants who had worn monovision for at least 3 months evaluated driving performance in daylight under open road conditions with monovision and with their own habitual correction (spectacles or unaided). The findings indicate that monovision does not adversely affect driving performance (Wood et al. , 1998).…”

Contact lens correction of presbyopia

“…In addition, monovision wearers have a very difficult time suppressing headlights while driving at night, with one‐third of the subjects experiencing glare while night driving 40 . Interestingly, Wood and associates 41 assessed 13 habitual monovision wearers on several simulated driving tasks under daytime conditions and found no difference in driving performance between monovision and their habitual distance correction. Nevertheless, monovision patients are advised to avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery during the first two to three weeks of adaptation 42…”

The Effect of Presbyopic Vision Corrections on Nighttime Driving Performance

“…3,[5][6][7] Monovision is also known to cause some loss of stereoacuity, 5,[7][8][9] but its impact on practical task performance is thought to be limited. 10 The use of progressiveaddition spectacle lenses (PAL) is also known to create peripheral spatial distortion in the inferior field, 11,12 but little is known about their effect on driving performance, particularly under nighttime conditions.…”