Parking lot viewed normally

How are Bioptic Telescopes Used for Driving?

Mounting the bioptic telescope into the lens in a pair of eyeglasses allows the driver to use his regular prescription lenses as well as the telescope gaining first an overall view and then very detailed view of the road, traffic and signs up ahead. The Bioptic Telescopic System allows a trained user the opportunity to detect objects or movement within his/her driving scene using the wide field of view available through the regular spectacle lens and to resolve fine details such as road signs and traffic lights by glancing briefly and intermittently into and out of the miniature telescope. (See photo).

The bioptic driver’s use of the telescope can be likened to the normally sighted driver’s use of rear and side mirrors. They are used as spotting tools for one or two seconds at a time. The telescopes come in a variety of sizes, styles and powers can be made in either focusable or non–focusable versions. They can contain the person’s eyeglass prescription and/or tints. The telescopes are focused at distance while driving. Your eye doctor will help you determine the best telescope for your needs.

Driving with a bioptic telescope requires training in the general use of the telescope as well as a behind-the-wheel evaluation. The bioptic telescope is a prescriptive device, prescribed by either an optometrist or ophthalmologist specializing in low vision rehabilitation.

If you are undecided as to whether you wish to pursue a bioptic driver’s license and would like to work with a telescope before making this decision, your eye doctor will have you work with a telescope during your routine low vision evaluation. We can even provide training with a hand held telescope so that you can view distance objects at home and while you are a passenger in a car. This may help you decide if bioptic driving is for you.

Arizona Law Regarding the Use of Bioptic Telescopes While Driving

• The driver must be able to meet the current Arizona Department of Transportation visual acuity standards using no more than a 4x bioptic telescope. The current visual acuity standards state that a person will be granted a regular driver’s license with best corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better. A person shall be restricted to daytime driving if they have a corrected visual acuity of 20/40 – 20/60. If a person cannot meet the acuity of 20/60, they will not be able to obtain a driver’s license. An eye doctor must determine the visual acuity of the driver and fill out an ADOT Driver’s Vision Form.

• The driver must have a visual field of at least 70 degrees temporally and 35 degrees nasally. Your eye doctor will determine the extent of your visual field with a visual field test.

• The driver must pass the standard driving test with an Arizona Department of Transportation driving instructor or an OT who specializes in Driving Rehabilitation. The driver must demonstrate that they can perform all regular driving tasks such as speed control, merging, driving in traffic, and effective use of mirrors.

• The driver must have an ADOT Driver’s Vision form filled out by their eye doctor on an annual basis.

Candidates for Bioptic Driving

Bioptic Driving Program

• Low vision individuals with visual acuity 20/200 or better.

• No peripheral field defects.

• Stable ocular conditions, usually congenital. Albinism, aniridia and congenital nystagmus are examples.

• Some macular degeneration patients may be good candidates depending on the stability of the disease and eccentric viewing skills.

• Candidates must have the motor ability to scan a rapidly changing environment.

• Candidates must have sensory ability to perceive information in this rapidly changing environment.

• Candidates must have the attentiveness to process multiple pieces of information.

• Candidates must have the cognitive ability to judge this information in a timely fashion and to make appropriate decisions.

• Candidates must have the motor ability to execute these decisions in a timely fashion.

Steps to Becoming a Bioptic Driver

Step # 1:

A Functional Low Vision Evaluation:

You will need a recent low vision examination performed by your low vision eye doctor. Your doctor will use the following tests to determine if you are a candidate for bioptic driving:

• Visual Acuity Test

• Visual Field Test: The visual field test measures the total area in which objects can be seen in the peripheral vision while the eye is focused on a central point.

• A dilated eye examination to rule out active pathology.

• Contrast Sensitivity Test: A measurement of how well the eye sees in conditions that are not black and white. A truer measurement of how the eye sees in the real world.

Step #2:

Designing and fitting your Bioptic Telescope:

Bioptic telescopes are custom made for each patient and contain the patient’s unique prescription in the ophthalmic lenses and, in some cases, the telescope itself. Your eye doctor will determine the correct telescope for you. Your telescope may take up to 4 weeks to obtain from the manufacturer.

Step #3:

Training in the use of your Bioptic Telescope:

A bioptic telescope alone does not make a person a safe driver. All potential drivers require training in the use of their telescope. You will be evaluated and trained by ViewFinder’s staff and your doctor. The training will focus on the user’s ability to focus and demonstrate movement in and out of the bioptic within one to two seconds to spot distant targets. The goals are for the patient to be able to use the device effectively while stationary (i.e., sitting or standing and spotting items across the room) and then while moving (i.e., walking in the grocery store, spotting signs and recognizing objects at a distance). Patients will also practice spotting targets while a passenger in their car with a friend or family member driving. When you have demonstrated the ability to correctly use the bioptic telescope, your eye doctor may then recommend that you receive a Behind-the-Wheel Driver’s Evaluation before signing the vision form for your Arizona Driver’s license. This training is not included in the cost of the telescope. Remember: Even if you hold a current license, you are not legal to drive with the bioptic telescope until you have passed the Arizona Motor Vehicle’s Road Test.

Step # 4:

Driver Evaluation while Using the Bioptic Telescope:

While Arizona does not require Behind-the-Wheel Training for potential bioptic drivers, your eye doctor may refer you to a driving rehabilitation program, especially if you have not driven in a while. Many lighting, glare and road conditions influence the ability of the low vision driver’s performance. A driving evaluation and training program will help prepare you for the Arizona Department of Transportation road test and increase your safety and confidence behind the wheel. The evaluation will be in two parts: the first part will be as a front seat passenger while the driving rehabilitation specialist drives. The patient will demonstrate their skills in spotting road signs and hazards. The second part will have the patient behind the wheel driving to demonstrate their skill using the Bioptic Telescope. The Driving Rehabilitation Specialist will make suggestions to help the patient with their driving skills and develop a training program to help the patient meet the Motor Vehicle department’s criteria to pass the drivers test while using the bioptic telescope.

Patients who have never driven before will automatically be referred to the Driving Rehabilitation program for driver’s training. You will be instructed in all aspects of driving to enable you to pass your on-the-road driving examination.