HOW MUCH BLAME CAN BE PLACED ON LASER PHOTOCOAGULATION FOR FAILURE TOATTAIN DRIVING STANDARDS

One hundred consecutive patients who underwent bilateral pan-retinal p hotocoagulation (PRP) for proliferative diabetic retinopathy were asse ssed in accordance with the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DV LA) guidelines. Visual acuity was documented, and visual fields were a ssessed using the Esterman test. Among the 30% of patients, who failed to reach the visual standards required for a driving licence, three g roups were identified: those who failed to attain either the required binocular visual acuity (n = 4), or visual fields (n = 9), or:both (n = 17). Previous studies reveal a large variation in DVLA field test fa ilure following PRP treatment for proliferative; diabetic retinopathy. Our results show a 19% failure rate solely attributable to treatment, which is at the lower end of previously reported studies (20-80%), Th e reasons for this discrepancy are discussed, We conclude that modern treatment procedures for proliferative diabetic retinopathy may be und ertaken with the knowledge that in the majority of cases a patient's d riving licence is unlikely to be revoked.