Sheela Subramanian
BACKGROUND Truck drivers commonly referred as truckers, provide essential services to industrialized societies and are also responsible for inspecting all their vehicles for safe operation. They are the most responsible persons for highway mishaps. While at work they are carried out by, information taken from their visual inputs about the road itself, other vehicles, pedestrians, signs, the passing scenery, etc. rest of the information, may be processing through other information sources. The aim of the study was to examine and evaluate the visual traits of truck drivers on national highway. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective study was conducted on truck drivers passing through NH 45 near PADALAM, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India. Drivers were examined for visual acuity with Snellenâ??s chart, colour vision with Ishihara plates, field vision by confrontation method and preliminary fundus through direct ophthalmoscope. RESULTS Totally 148 drivers were examined, out of which 120 (81.08%) were found to be fit for driving. 22 had refractive error (14.86%), 3 had cataract (2.02%), 1 had diabetic retinopathy (0.67%), 1 had vasculitis (0.67%), 1 had defective colour vision (0.67%). CONCLUSION Among the population examined, approximately 20% of them were found to have some form of defective vision. Criteria for driving safely should be revised and regularly monitored. Current Driving Licensing System followed in India and the issuance of license should include better visual assessment parameters should be given importance at issue and renewal of driving license.
