Abstract

Introduction: There has been a steep increase in Road traffic accidents in the last two decades in developing nations such as India. Driving has become a visually intensive task which requires sensory ability (mainly visual), mental ability and compensatory abilities. As per the Motor Vehicles Act,1988. and Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner is sufficient to qualify for driving license. Truck drivers are most vulnerable for highway accidents. This might be due to many reasons but impaired visual function can be one of the major causes  for mishaps. In view of the importance of good vision, this study was conducted to assess the ocular status of interstate truck drivers. 

Aim and objectives: Assessment of prevalence of refractive error and color blindness among the inter-state truck drivers.

Materials and Methods: A study was carried out in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation, India at Jammu in Indian Oil Depot in which 140 interstate truck drivers were included. All the respondents had their visual acuities and color vision evaluated with the aid of Snellen’s and E-chart(in case of illiterates) and Ischiara pseudochromatic plates respectively. The subjects had their eyes examined with the help of torch and direct ophthalmoscope. Presbyopic correction was given on the spot. All those with ocular problems were referred to Deptt of Ophthalmology, ASCOMS for further evaluation

Results: In all 140 drivers were examined out of which 116(82.8%) were found to have visual acuity 6/6(normal vision) while 24(17.14%) drivers  had  refractive errors. Of the 24 truck drivers with refractive errors;12 drivers were having hypermetropia, 9 drivers were having myopia and 3 drivers were found to have astigmatism. None of the drivers had color blindness. Irrespective of refractive error,74(52.8%) drivers were found to have presbyopia.

Conclusion: Most of the truck drivers having defective vision were in the age group of 41-50 years.Hence, drivers in this age group should be screened frequently to detect visual defects and they should be encouraged to wear corrective spectacles to have normal visual acuity.

Key words: Refractive error, truck drivers, visual acuity, color blindness.