Visual field assessment and driving licence eligibility in India: A hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Cross-sectionalIndian journal of ophthalmology· Aug 2026

Visual field assessment and driving licence eligibility in India: A hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Mamta Singh, Bibhuti P Sinha, Noor Husain … Bhavana Sharma

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OphthalmologyCross-sectionalClinical practiceQ2IF 1.6

Visual field defects were found in 4.5% of Indian driving licence holders tested

Visual field assessment and driving licence eligibility in India: A hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Mamta Singh … Bhavana Sharma

Indian journal of ophthalmology · Aug 2026 · Q2 in Ophthalmology

Purpose

To determine the prevalence of visual field (visual field) defect among Indian driving licence (driving licence) holders and to evaluate their eligibility according to UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) visual fitness standards.

Methods

This hospital-based cross-sectional observational study included individuals holding a valid Indian driving licence who were actively engaged in driving and visiting a tertiary care center in Western India.

n = 1900 participants

Results

4.5%

86 of 1900 drivers (4.5%) had visual field defects, despite having normal visual acuity.

n = 1900 participants

More results

The mean age was 47.6 years (range, 18-82 years), and 93% were male.

The best corrected visual acuity in the better eye was ≥6/18 in 99% of participants.

Of these, 31 participants (1.6% of the total sample) also failed to meet the Group 1 criteria.

Visual field defects were most frequent in 61-70 years (29%).

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

A measurable proportion of active drivers were found to have visual field defects that would disqualify them under international standards, despite having normal visual acuity.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Incorporating standardized visual field testing into driver licensing and periodic renewal, with stricter reassessment beyond 40 years of age, could substantially improve road-traffic safety.

Visual field assessment and driving licence eligibility in India: A hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Visual field assessment and driving licence eligibility in India: A hospital-based cross-sectional study.

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