This document outlines visual standards for driving and naval service. The key points are: - For driving, the standard is 6/9 vision in the better eye or 6/12 in the worse eye, with a field of vision of at least 120 degrees. Diplopia and certain visual field defects make one unfit to drive. - For the Royal Navy, the standards are 6/12 vision or better in each eye, with restrictions on hyperopia, myopia and astigmatism. Tests include Ishihara color plates and checking binocular function. - Factors like ocular pathology, refractive surgeries and retinal detachment could cause rejection even if vision is within standards. Spectacle

1. OPTOM FASLU MUHAMMED

2. The following standards have been reproduce by kind
permission of the association of optometrists and the
civil aviation authority

3. MOTORISTS
STATIC VISUAL ACUITY
The standard for the ordinary drivers is
the ability toread in goof light

4. THE STANDARD OF VISUAL ACUITY APPLICABLE IS
Acuity [with aid of corrective
lenses if necessary] of atleast 6/9 in the better eye or
6/12 in the worse eye or uncorrected acuity of 3/60 in
one eye

5. VISAL FIELD
Ordinary drivers are required to have a field of vision
atleast 120 degree within the horizontal measure by
the Gold Man perimeter

6. If any homonymous or bitemporal defects that come
close to fixation, whether hemianopic or
quandrantopic, are accepted as safe for driving.
Isolated scotoma repesented in the binocular field
near to the central fixation point may be inconsistent
with safe driving

7. DIPLOPIA
Diplopia causes unfitness to drive. Late onset sudden
diplopia due to a minor stroke precludes driving for 1
month. Then if persisting and superable with
prismatic lens masking.

8. Driving is permitted providing the d the driver gives an
undertaking always to wear the lens or patch when
driving

9. COLOUR VISION
Impaired colour vision is sometimes a bar to driving.
Methods of testing colour perception is , Ishihara test

10. VISION UNDER ADVERSE LIGHTING
CONDITIONS
Pts who have cataracts and those having undergone
refractive Sx may be unable to meet the required
conditions of poor light or glare.

11. A history of inability to see effectively when driving at
night with headlights is due to a night vision defects
such as retinitis pigmentosa or choridoretinitis
precludes in issuing driving license

12. MONOCULAR DRIVERS
Recent loss of an eye may require a period of driving
for adaptation, but then driving may be resumed
subject to meeting the above standard to meeting the
above standards

13. DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
Treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy by
pan retinal photocoagulation can cause reduced
visual field and jeopardize the right to drive

14. Optometrists are frequently asked by the pts whether
they are visually fit to drive
Visual acuity can be measured on the basis of snellen
acuity
The other aspect of vision outlined above should be
taken in account
An appropriate should be given on the pt’s record
card.

15. FRAMES AND LENSES
Care should be taken in frame selection not to
obscure lateral vision
Advise should be given on the limitations of high
power lenses or at nightand of photochromic lenses
when entering road tunnels and roads shaded by trees
from good day light conditions

16. FOLLOW UP
The AOP recommends that drivers and riders should
have a retest at the most every 3 yrs upto the age of 70
yrs
Any pathological eye disease should ofcourse be
refered for investigation

17. ROYAL NAVY
for medical standards the navy uses a form of
equivalents as follows

18. Eye sight and colour perception standards
The standards of visual acuity is
garded below
Visual acuity to be achieved without correcting lenses
Better eye : 6/12 N5
Worse eye : 6/12 N5

19. REFRACTION LIMIT
Total Hypermetropia
Better Eye = +3.50 DSPH
Worse Eye = +3.50 DSPH

20. Myopia
Better Eye = -0.75 DSPH
Worse Eye = -0.75 DSPH
Astigmatism
Better Eye = +/- 1.00 DCYL
Worse Eye = +/-1.00 DCYL

21. Methods Of Testing
Distance VA should be tested at a distance of 6
meters
Ask whether using of spectacle or contact lens
If yes, bring their spectacle with them
To bring written spectacle prescription
To check VA first uncorrected and then corrected

22. OCULAR PATHOLOGY
POST PENETRATING INJURIES
POST KERATOTOMY
REFRACTIVE SURGERIES
RETINAL DETACHMENT

23. NEAR VISION TESTING
NEAR VA IS TESTED USING TIMES ROMAN PRINT
ON READING CHARTS APPROVED BY THE
BRITISH FACULTY OF OPHTHALMOLOGISTS

24. COLOUR PERCEPTION
THE CORRECT RECOGNITION OF 16 PLATES OF
ISHIHARA TEST SHOULD BE GIVEN
ISHIHARA PLATES ARE USED AS A SCREENING
FOR ALL COLOUR PERCEPTION

25. BINOCULAR EFFICIEBCY
BIFOVEAL FIXATION AND PRFECT BINOCULAR
FUNCTIONS ARE FOR ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
UNLESS SPECIFIED BUT A SQUINT MUST BE
COSMETICALLY ACCEPTABLE

26. SPECTACLES AND CONTACT
LENS
RESTRICTION ON THE WEARING OF SPECTACLES
OR CONTACT LENS.THOSE WHO HAVE CL
SHOULD WEAR DEFENCE SPECTACLES.
CL MAY WELL PROVIDE ADVANTAGES OVER
SPECATCLES.ENHANCING PERIPHERAL VISION
AND REDUCING REFLECTION AND ABERRATIONS

27. REFRACTION
HYPERMETROPIA
IN YOUNG PERSON,CONSIDERABLE
HEPERMETROPIA MAY BE PRESENT WITHOUT
ANY APPARENT EFFECT ON EITHER NEAR OR
DISTANT VISION.FOGGING SHOULD BE DONE TO
MEASURE MANIFEST HYPERMETROPIA.

28. MYOPIA
SHORT SIGHT AFFECTS DISTANCE VA.THE
CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ASKED TO PROVIDE A
SPECTACLE PRESCRIPTION,WHICH WILL SHOW
THE DEGREE OF MYOPIA PRESENT.

29. OTHER ABNORMALITIES OF THE EYES
OR VISUAL SYSTEM
ANY ABNORMALITIES OF THE EYE OR VISUAL
SYSTEM MAY BE CAUSE FOR REJECTION
EVENTHOUGH VISUAL FUNCTIONS WITHIN THE
STANDARDS LIIMITS.