Visual defect among professional drivers in Accra

Abstract

This study aims at determining the visual status of professional drivers, and whether routine eye screening for such drivers applying for professional driving license should be mandatory. The result of eye screening performed on professional drivers in Accra were analysed. A total of seven hundred and ninety eight drivers between the ages of 20 and 70 were examined. Of these 91 (11 .4%) had impaired vision. Of those with poor vision, the commonest cause of impaired vision was cataract (36.3%). Glaucoma accounted for 7.7% and macular disease 15.3%. There was a high rate of uncorrected refractive errors. There is an urgent need to routinely screen all drivers applying for professional license at least by simple visual acuity testing.