Opening Session and Keynote Speakers: Overview of Bioptic Driving

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Description

Several state laws permit the use of a bioptic telescope, with some restrictions, for drivers who have low vision. The driver must meet minimum vision requirements, and an ophthalmologist or optometrist must prescribe the telescope. During this presentation, participants will learn about recent research on bioptic driving, common types of bioptics used for driving, and techniques to teach the use of bioptics before a potential driver gets behind the wheel.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to identify common diagnoses that limit driving performance for individuals with low vision.
Participants will be able to describe how driving performance is impacted by visual deficits.
Participants will be able to describe the role of the low vision specialist in safe return to driving.
Participants will have a basic understanding of the use of bioptic telescopes for driving and what to look for in a good fit for a bioptic.
Participants will learn training techniques in the use of bioptics.

This session is presented by Dr. Dawn DeCarlo and Jason Vice.

Contributors

Dr. Dawn DeCarlo

Dr. Dawn DeCarlo received her Doctor of Optometry and Master of Science degrees from the UAB School of Optometry in 1992. She earned her MSPH in 2012 and her PhD in Vision Science in 2020, also from UAB. She completed residency training in vision rehabilitation at the Chicago West Side VA Medical Center and the Hines Central Blind Rehabilitation Center. She served as faculty at the UAB School of Optometry until 2001 followed by a faculty position at Nova Southeastern College of Optometry until 2005. Since that time, she has been a member of the UAB Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences and director of the UAB Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation. She is a Diplomate of the Low Vision Section of the American Academy of Optometry. Her current research focus is on reading and pediatric vision impairment.
Jason Vice

Jason Vice is a graduate of the UAB School of Health Professions where he received his Master of Science degree in occupational therapy. His professional experience includes hospital-based acute care and low vision rehabilitation. Mr. Vice has earned Specialty Certification in Low Vision from the American Occupational Therapy Association. He has also served as on the executive board of the Alabama Occupational Therapy Association as Vice-President and Interim-President. Mr. Vice is currently an Assistant Professor in the UAB Department of Occupational Therapy and has a secondary faculty appointment in the Department of Ophthalmology.