Rebecca A. Deffler, OD, PhD, FAAO
“Information and Referral: First Point of Contact”
For individuals beginning to think about bioptic driving, it can be helpful to consider experiences that are like — and different from — operating a motor vehicle and any previous driving experience. This presentation will highlight observations and situations for the potential bioptic driver, as well as their family or support system, to reflect upon as the discussion of bioptic driving begins. Topics will include visual and non-visual considerations related to the practicality of safe driving.
Tom Porter, OD, FAAO
“The Clinical Low Vision Examination”
This presentation will compare and contrast the familiar “ocular health” type eye examination that most people have experienced with a clinical low vision examination. The purpose of a low vision examination is to improve functional visual skills rather than to diagnose and treat a pathology or condition. Functional skills can often be improved by manipulating variables such as contrast appreciation, glare control, magnification, specialty low vision aids, and rehabilitation training. Each step in the low vision exam will be discussed, and several patient cases will be used for illustration.
Gregory R. Hopkins, OD, MS, FAAO, Dipl. AAO
“Evaluation, Fitting, and Prescription of Bioptics”
Bioptic telescopes are the primary low vision aids that allow magnification of distant objects in a hands-free manner, making them the most frequently used devices to help those with limited vision maintain and improve the visual skills necessary for driving. This presentation will cover the types of bioptic telescopes available, as well as the special considerations and challenges involved in their fitting.
Bradley E. Dougherty, OD, PhD
“Bioptic Driving Research”
Bioptic telescopic spectacles are used by drivers with central vision impairment to provide a magnified view of distant objects in the driving environment, and questions about the safety of bioptic driving have existed since its inception. This presentation will summarize what is currently known about bioptic driving safety, the factors that influence training outcomes, and how vision relates to driving safety, performance, and behavior. It will also highlight areas where more research is needed and discuss how new technology may change driving for people with vision impairment in the future.
Mary Miller, OTR/L, CDRS, LDI
“Pre-Driver Readiness and Bioptic Driver Training”
For many individuals with low vision who never expected the opportunity to explore the driving privilege, knowing how to best prepare for the dynamics of this task is often unfamiliar territory. This presentation will highlight both basic pedestrian-related and advanced passenger-in-car pre-driver readiness skills that can facilitate success as one enters formalized behind-the-wheel bioptic driver training. It will also address ways that parents, low vision therapists, and driver rehabilitation specialists can help young, novice driver candidates develop their active passenger-in-car commentary drive skills. The components of a bioptic driver training program will be discussed, including factors that may facilitate or hinder progress during behind-the-wheel training.
Cindy Bachofer, PhD, CLVT
“Getting in Charge of Getting Around: Accessing Transportation as a Non-Driver”
Obtaining a driver’s license is a recognized symbol of independence for young adults in this country, but when visual impairment is present, that symbol may take the form of a city bus pass or a contract with a hired driver. Instruction is essential in building the skills needed to access transportation effectively and manage adult responsibilities, with larger goals including the development of positive self-esteem as an active traveler and the recognition of the personal satisfaction that comes with gaining independence. This presentation draws from the curriculum Finding Wheels (Corn & Rosenblum, 2020) and personal experience in accessing transportation as a non-driver, and will address awareness of the decisions involved in managing adult responsibilities and travel needs, identification of the specific skills required to navigate transportation safely and efficiently, and a summary of available transportation options along with their respective advantages and disadvantages.
Chuck Huss, COMS, DRS
“Bioptic Driver On-Road Testing and Licensure”
Bioptic driver on-road testing and licensure is a state-regulated function, with state laws and promulgated rules and regulations in place, and a state agency assigned responsibility for implementing, reinforcing, and determining who will be permitted driving privileges within a given licensing jurisdiction. This presentation will provide a brief overview of the current status of bioptic driving in the United States, including the documents and information that DMV/BMV examiners should have full access to prior to on-road testing with bioptic lens applicants, the driving skills examiners should look for and assess during actual on-road testing, the different types of on-road testing used for bioptic lens users, examples of driving restrictions commonly applied to the licenses of bioptic lens users, the range of timeframes involved in the bioptic driver licensure process across states, and the appeal process used in many states for the potential removal of restrictions from bioptic driver licenses. Portions of this overview are based in part on West Virginia bioptic driving legislation (2008) and related promulgated rules (2009).