|
Bioptic Driving in Alabama: Information for Doctors, Patients and Families
What is Bioptic Driving?
Bioptic Driving is operating a vehicle with the assistance of specialized telescopic/bioptic eyewear, often called a bioptic. This device allows some drivers with low vision to meet the minimum acuity standards for licensing. During driving, bioptic devices are typically used briefly to see details such as road signs. Most of the vision used while driving will be through the person’s regular eyewear, sometimes called the carrier lens. It is important to keep in mind that although bioptic eyewear may improve visual acuity, a driver’s visual field will be reduced while looking through the bioptic device.
The State of Alabama now allows bioptic driving under some circumstances, and important information about this is below.
Visual Criteria for Bioptic Driving in Alabama
The following are the basic criteria that help to establish whether a person
is a candidate for bioptic eyewear while driving:
- Visual condition must be stable
- 20/200 in each eye with the carrier lens (this is the regular lens in
the eyeglasses).
- 20/60 with a bioptic telescopic lens (magnification on the telescope
can be no greater than 4X).
- 110º of horizontal field of vision and 80º vertical field
of vision.
Steps to Becoming a Bioptic Driver
If a patient does not already have a bioptic, a bioptic can be prescribed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist who specializes in low vision rehabilitation. For more information on how to obtain a bioptic in Alabama, contact your own eye care specialist or feel free to contact us at the UAB Driving Assessment Clinic, phone (205) 325-8646 or driving@uab.edu.
Once a patient has a bioptic, those interested in becoming bioptic drivers must contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety in Montgomery to obtain a bioptic driving packet. Call Lt. Terry Chapman or Sgt. Hollifield at (334) 242-3427 and request a bioptic driving packet be mailed to you. The packet contains the following information:
- Checklist for Bioptic Driving Candidates.
- Certificate of Vision Examination to be completed by an ophthalmologist
or optometrist.
- A list of Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialists (CDRS) in Alabama,
and a list of Registered and Licensed Occupational Therapists (OTR/L)
in Alabama who are Low Vision Certified and have been working in low
vision for at least one year.
- Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) Assessment form
to be completed by a CDRS.
- Bioptic Lens Waiver to be completed by your local Department of Public
Safety Driver Licensing office.
- Certification of Completion of Adequate Training in Use of Bioptic
to be completed by an Occupational Therapist (OTR/L).
For further
and complete instructions on obtaining the appropriate materials
for Bioptic Driving, click either of the file types below.
 |
|
|
