the good doctor on: Bioptics are here

Blog Vol.2, # 3. Bioptics are here.

Earlier in the year I wrote on the exciting news that drivers in Ontario with visual impairments can now obtain a “G” license. Just last week, we dispensed our first two pairs of bioptics. After a training session with the telescope, spotting and tracking and dipping, the patients were sent home to practice in familiar environments. They will return in three weeks for another assessment and, if everything is progressing nicely, we will check acuities and field of vision to ensure that they meet the MTO visual standards.

These are people who did not, for one reason or another, meet MTO standards before and now they do! These first two patients are university students and how exciting is this!

Here is a pair of Bioptics with a more powerful Keplerian system.

The next step, as for everyone who has not driven before, is the G1 written test, then driver training; almost there. This process would, of course, be streamlined for people with a lot of driving experience. Practise is key. The patient has to be using the telescope at regular intervals, similar to the way drivers use rear-view mirrors. So you can see we are pretty excited about the possibilities.

Other jurisdictions, mostly in the U.S.A, have noted that most people with visual impairments who take up driving are in a younger cohort with few seniors pursuing the opportunity. That has also been our experience , the seven Bioptic assessments performed thus far, have all been people in their twenties. We continue to get a lot of calls and emails from all over the province.

Please do not hesitate to contact us, and I would encourage more elderly patients to consider the possibility of driving again.

Til next week,

the good doctor