The influence of peripheral vision on driving performance in patients implanted with an inverted meniscus intraocular lens

The purpose was to analyze and compare the influence of peripheral vision on driving while performing secondary visual-manual tasks in patients implanted with two types of intraocular lenses (IOLs): a standard monofocal IOL and a new inverted meniscus intraocular lens (ArtIOL). This study included 17 participants implanted binocularly with a standard monofocal IOL (control group) and 15 participants implanted binocularly with the ArtIOL. Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were tested at 40 deg of
eccentricity. Driving performance was assessed using a driving simulator. At some points of the route, participants were asked to perform a secondary task while driving. Among other driving variables, self-regulation of driving speed and was analyzed, and the overall driving performance score (ODPS) was calculated. The ArtIOL’s group had better peripheral contrast sensitivity (p = 0.003); however, no differences were observed in peripheral visual acuity. Regarding driving performance, no significant differences were observed in the ODPS between the two groups. In the general route, participants implanted with ArtIOLs drove faster, particularly in the mountain road (p = 0.002). The ArtIOL’s group self-regulated more for speed, particularly when the characteristics of the road were less complex (p = 0.037). An association was found between better contrast sensitivity and more positive values of the speed adaptation (rho = 0.342; p = 0.006). Thus, participants implanted with the ArtIOLs did not show a significant improvement in driving performance, but had a better contrast in the periphery that contributed to an increased self-confidence while driving.