Driving and exceptional cases: Supporting relicensing evaluation in patients whose visual fields fail to meet standards

• Published in: Ophthalmic & physiological optics 2022-09, Vol.42 (5), p.1009-1014
• Main Authors: Harper, Robert A., Parkes, Jeremy A., Dickinson, Christine M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation; driving; Hemorrhage; low vision; Occipital lobe; Patients; Primary care; Visual field; visual fields
• ISSN: 0275-5408; 1475-1313
• DOI: 10.1111/opo.13015

Purpose The UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's (DVLA) visual field criteria mean that homonymous defects close to fixation are not usually acceptable for driving. Here, we illustrate cases where patients with field defects failing to meet standards had their licences revoked but subsequently were permitted to drive again through exceptional case provisions. Methods Clinical assessment of two patients with homonymous loss: a 62‐year‐old man (PWT) with a dense left upper homonymous quadrantanopia secondary to a right occipital lobe stroke and a 48‐year‐old woman (JC), only aware of right upper homonymous quadrantanopia following routine primary care assessment and subsequently attributed to left middle cerebral artery stroke from perinatal intracranial haemorrhage. Results PWT's Esterman test showed a significant central defect failing to meet the standard. His subsequent ophthalmic examination was otherwise unremarkable with excellent visual functions. Clinical evidence was provided supporting his relicensing application, and in time, a practical DVLA driving assessment indicated adaptation had been successful, and his licence was restored. JC's defect also failed to meet the standard, and her licence was revoked. Her ophthalmic examination was otherwise unremarkable, and her condition was attributed to a nonprogressive, isolated perinatal event. The DVLA accepted supporting clinical evidence; her subsequent practical driving assessment demonstrated successful adaptation and her licence was also restored. Conclusions Conventional visual field tests are not necessarily predictive of real‐world driving performance, with drivers' adaptive strategies not being accommodated. In the UK, individuals with visual field loss failing to meet the standard may be eligible for relicensing as exceptional cases if specific criteria can be met. For exceptional cases potentially licensable under these criteria, the DVLA requires clinician support and a satisfactory practical driving assessment. Similar provisions exist internationally. Clinicians need to be aware of the role they may play in such scenarios.