We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Long-term review of driving potential following bilateral panretinal photocoagulation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
- Authors
Vernon, S. A.; Bhagey, J.; Boraik, M.; El-Defrawy, H.
- Abstract
Aim To determine the necessity for repeated Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) visual field testing in people with diabetes who have had bilateral panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted of driving history in a cohort of people with diabetes who had been treated with bilateral PRP for proliferative retinopathy between 1988 and 1990. In addition, all similarly eligible subjects attending the diabetic retinal review clinic over a 12-month period who had had laser between 1991 and 2000 were questioned as to their driving status. Results Forty-five surviving patients from the 1988–1990 cohort were eligible and 25 returned the questionnaire (55%). Eight had never driven and 15 (13 with Type 1 diabetes) still held a valid licence, having passed the DVLA field test on a number of occasions. Neither of the two patients who had stopped driving reported failing the DVLA field test as the reason for stopping. All 12 of the patients directly questioned in the clinic were still driving and had passed at least one repeat DVLA test. Conclusions People with Type 1 diabetes who have no further laser treatment for proliferative diabetic retinopathy can expect to retain their UK driving licence for at least 15 years following small-burn PRP, provided they maintain sufficient acuity.
- Subjects
DIABETIC retinopathy; DIABETES complications; RETINAL diseases; ENDOCRINE diseases; LIGHT coagulation; LASER coagulation
- Publication
Diabetic Medicine, 2009, Vol 26, Issue 1, p97
- ISSN
0742-3071
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1464-5491.2008.02623.x