What guidance do you give about driving following pupil dilation?

Eye care professionals based in the UK and Ireland are invited to complete a five-minute online questionnaire that explores what advice practitioners give patients about driving following pupil dilation.

Optometrists, orthoptists, ophthalmologists and other professionals who use pupil-dilating drops are eligible to complete the survey.

Third year optometry student at the University of Ulster, Martha Tuohy, is carrying out the survey as part of her undergraduate research project.

“Currently, eye care professionals must advise patients not to drive for a period of time following dilation,” she told OT.

“However, guidance as to how long this period should be varies between sources, and there is limited research on the effects of pupil dilation on visual function in relation to driving,” Tuohy said.

“Therefore, we suspect the advice given to patients about driving after dilation is likely to vary between clinicians. The purpose of this survey is to discover the extent to which patient advice varies, and what factors may influence the advice given,” she explained.

The survey also explores which measures of visual function eye care professionals consider relevant for driving safety.

“This may help highlight important gaps in the evidence base,” Tuohy said.

She highlighted that the survey aims to gather a broad and representative range of perspectives from across the eye care community within the UK and Ireland.

“We previously shared this survey with members of the College of Optometrists and were delighted by the strong response – thank you to everyone who has already taken part,” she said.

The survey closes on 1 April. Those who wish to complete the online questionnaire can click on the following link.