Visual standards

What are visual standards? Many occupations and activities require people to have particular levels of vision Visual standards are needed for personal and public safety

What professions require visual standards? Motor vehicle drivers Train and tram operators People in the maritime industry Metropolitan Ambulance People in the aviation industry Australian Defence Force Victorian and Federal Police Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services

Visual standards are also required for Operators of Cranes, hoists and forklifts Laser users People involved in motor sports

Visual standards are used by General Practitioners Medical Specialists Optometrists Psychologists Physiotherapists Occupational therapists

Tests Visual acuity Colour vision Visual field Binocular function

Visual Acuity A measure of how clearly you can see Measured with a letter chart at a distance (usually 6m) Decreased by refractive error, cataract

Colour vision defects Most commonly red/green 8% of males, 0.5% of females Affects colour discrimination, colour matching and career choices

Visual field A measure of how well you can see with your side vision Decreased with eye disease –Glaucoma –Retinitis Pigmentosa Computerised test

Binocular vision Two eyes work together for full depth perception or “stereopsis” Glasses can help eyes focus equally

Visual standards and occupations Each particular occupation will have different visual standards, depending on the visual tasks and the risk

A manual outlining visual standards is available from Optometrists Association Australia

Optometrists Provide a comprehensive visual examination Detect and diagnose eye health problems Prescribe and supply glasses and contact lenses when required Diagnose and treat eye coordination and focussing problems

Optometrists Are university educated and undertake continuing professional education No referral is required Eye tests attract a medicare rebate

To find an optometrist Optometrists Association Australia Yellow Pages