Friday, April 10, 2009

Assistant Professor Patricia Wren Studies How Glaucoma Affects Driving

Glaucoma is a disease that can result in damage of the optic nerve loss of visual field, and can progress to blindness. Patients with newly diagnosed glaucoma often have difficulty with specific tasks, such as driving. In the April, 2009 issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, CBR member Patricia Wren, of the School of Health Sciences, and other members of the Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study published Evaluating Clinical Change and Visual Function Concerns in Drivers and Nondrivers with Glaucoma (Volume 50, Pages 1718-1725). They conclude that

"Inquiring about specific difficulties with tasks related to glare, visual processing speed, visual search, and peripheral vision in driving, especially among patients with substantial bilateral visual field damage, will enable physicians to more effectively counsel patients regarding driving."

Summary Glaucoma is a disease that can result in damage of the optic nerve loss of visual field, and can progress to blindness. Patients with newly diagnosed glaucoma often have difficulty with specific tasks, such as driving.

Created by Brad Roth (roth@oakland.edu) on Friday, April 10, 2009
Modified by Brad Roth (roth@oakland.edu) on Friday, April 10, 2009
Article Start Date: Friday, April 10, 2009