Original Research Article DOI: 10.18231/2395-1451.2017.0073 Indian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, July-September,2017;3(3): 296-299 296 Analysis of vision screening of truck drivers in a truck parking campus located in a busy national highway C. Xavier Jayaseelan 1 , Panimalar Veeramani 2,* 1 Associate Professor, 2 Assistant Professor, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Saveetha Medical College & Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai *Corresponding Author: Email: drpani07@gmail.com Abstract The importance of good visual acuity for safe driving cannot be over emphasized. Most of the road traffic accidents are mainly due to poor or low visual acuity, stress and psychological factors affecting the drivers. An attempt was made to ascertain the visual status of the truck drivers for visual disorders by screening them in a truck parking campus near Sriperumbudur, located in NH 45 (Chennai-Bangalore highway) frequented by National Permit carriers from all states in India, as it is a highly industrialised area with many manufacturing and assembling units, ware houses and many other electronics and mechanical industrial units located in and around this area. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of visual function impairment among truck drivers frequenting the national highways. The data from this study will provide necessary information on visual functions among truck drivers, help to make appropriate policy towards driver’s screening, obtaining licence and regulations and the importance of periodic vision check up. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on drivers frequenting one of the truck parking areas located in the busy NH 45 (Chennai – Bangaluru highway). Drivers were examined for visual acuity, colour vision, and fields by confrontation method. Those requiring further evaluation were examined in detail in the base hospital. Results: Totally 148 drivers were examined, out of which 80(54.05%) were found fit for driving. The remaining 68(45.95%) had visual impairment of some sort. Refractive error was the most common cause of visual impairment present in 46(31.08%) drivers followed by cataract in 14(9.45%), retinopathies due to Hypertension and Diabetes was seen in 10(6.75%), Glaucoma in 7(4.7%), ARMD in 4(2.7%), peripheral corneal opacities in 6(4.05%), and Squint in 3(2.02%). Colour blindness was seen in 3(2.02%) drivers. Conclusion: Prevalence of visual impairment among drivers was about 45.95% which is quiet a large magnitude to be accepted. Driver fault forms a significant share of the causes of road accident in India. With driving tests in India not factoring in visual acuity, poor eyesight could be a major culprit in road accidents. In India the criteria for vision requirement for safe driving is to be revised and regular monitoring and better visual examination parameters should be given more importance for issue and renewal of driving licenses to prevent road accidents. Keywords: Cataract, Refractive errors, Road safety, Vision, Visual impairment, Truck drivers Introduction India has 48.65 lakhs km of road network making it the second largest in the world. (1) Transportation of goods in India is mainly dependent on roads, carrying almost 65% of its freight. As a developing nation it has a vast and exhaustive network of national highways (NH) connecting various parts of the country. Road traffic accident is a major health problem worldwide and is a leading cause of death from trauma. (2) The drivers are more vulnerable for highway mishaps. Visual disability among drivers is one of the major causes of road accidents in India. Over half of the Indian drivers responsible for road accidents have atleast one vision disability, according to a study by the Indian Institute of Sciences(IISc). (3) This study mainly focuses on the visual functions of drivers as vision is the most important source of information during driving and many driving related injuries have been associated with visual problems. Materials and Methods A screening camp was conducted on May 15, 2014 for truck drivers for visual disorders in a truck parking campus located in NH 45 (Chennai - Bangalore highway) frequented by National Permit carriers from all states in India, as it is a highly industrialised area with many electronics and mechanical manufacturing and assembling units, ware houses, MNC units including Hyundai Motors and its accessories like Mobis, GSH, Renault Nissan motors, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Isuzu etc. This was a cross sectional, non comparative type of study. These drivers were tested for distant vision, near vision and colour vision and visual field by confrontation method in addition to focal examination of the anterior segment with magnifying loupe by a team of ophthalmologist and supporting staff. Those suspected of having visual problems underwent detailed check up at the base hospital. Comprehensive eye examination at the base hospital included Visual Acuity using Snellen’s chart, Refraction, Direct Ophthalmoscopy, Tonometry, Slit Lamp Biomicroscopy. Special tests like Gonioscopy,