Driving with limited vision?
Discussion
first, apologies if this is in the wrong forum.
Hi all, just wondering if anyone is keen on the law, with regarding driving with reduced vision in one eye? bit of a back story: My father is 53, and last year (mid october iirc) suffered a small stroke, which reduced the vision in his right eye, in all fairness he was very fortunate, he was at A&E when it happened, so the damage was limited (thank god he only lost a little bit of vision, it could have been so much worse). Now, he's recovered fine, and has just started back at work, and has recently been driving to and from work, out for trips with Mum at the weekend, just normal stuff. When he got out of hospital, understandably he wasn't driving, but he contacted the DVLA, and they said that his GP could make the decision if he could drive or not, and the GP said it was fine, and no-more was thought of it.
He called me today, and was a bit upset, because he'd had a letter from the DVLA saying that they are taking his licence back, and he will no longer be able to drive. He was upset because he loves driving, and was actually planning a trip to the nurburgring with me later this year. He is going to see the GP tomorrow, but the letter stated that the reason was "reduced range of vision". A family friend told us that he had several HGV drivers who had lost the sight in one eye, and still drove, so we thought this was odd, as his left eye vision is perfect, and the right is limited to about 3/4 (if you imagine vertical divides, the far right section) so he still has fairly good vision, and when he was driving recently he seemed to be just like normal, it wasn't causing him any strife.
Anyone know anything about this? relatives etc who have suffered similar episodes? He is going to appeal, but it upsets me to think of him like this really, he's a real petrolhead and he sounded so down on the phone
Thanks guys,
Mr.Jimbo
Hi all, just wondering if anyone is keen on the law, with regarding driving with reduced vision in one eye? bit of a back story: My father is 53, and last year (mid october iirc) suffered a small stroke, which reduced the vision in his right eye, in all fairness he was very fortunate, he was at A&E when it happened, so the damage was limited (thank god he only lost a little bit of vision, it could have been so much worse). Now, he's recovered fine, and has just started back at work, and has recently been driving to and from work, out for trips with Mum at the weekend, just normal stuff. When he got out of hospital, understandably he wasn't driving, but he contacted the DVLA, and they said that his GP could make the decision if he could drive or not, and the GP said it was fine, and no-more was thought of it.
He called me today, and was a bit upset, because he'd had a letter from the DVLA saying that they are taking his licence back, and he will no longer be able to drive. He was upset because he loves driving, and was actually planning a trip to the nurburgring with me later this year. He is going to see the GP tomorrow, but the letter stated that the reason was "reduced range of vision". A family friend told us that he had several HGV drivers who had lost the sight in one eye, and still drove, so we thought this was odd, as his left eye vision is perfect, and the right is limited to about 3/4 (if you imagine vertical divides, the far right section) so he still has fairly good vision, and when he was driving recently he seemed to be just like normal, it wasn't causing him any strife.
Anyone know anything about this? relatives etc who have suffered similar episodes? He is going to appeal, but it upsets me to think of him like this really, he's a real petrolhead and he sounded so down on the phone
Thanks guys,
Mr.Jimbo
are you back driving then?Never been restricted, made a decleration when applying for my provisional, they asked for more details so I submitted a report from my eye surgeon. This included information on my visual acuity in each eye, the condition of my optic disks and retina and if there was any loss in my visual field.
I have normal visual acuity in the left eye and a full visual field. I would imagine if you can prove the same then he won't have a problem getting his licence reissued. His GP must have sent a medical report to the DVLA for them to revoke it in the first place, I would make them your first port of call.
I have normal visual acuity in the left eye and a full visual field. I would imagine if you can prove the same then he won't have a problem getting his licence reissued. His GP must have sent a medical report to the DVLA for them to revoke it in the first place, I would make them your first port of call.
An ex-pupil of mine was blind in her right eye - sometimes got a little too close to parked cars, but she passed her test with no problem. I always felt a little awkard having to remind her to check her r/h blind spot as she really had to turn right around in the seat to see with her left eye.
There are strict guidelines for driving - you need to be able to read a number plate (in good daylight) at 20m or 67ft ( it does depend on the age of the number plate, hence its size but that's really too much detail for this). There is no equivalent to drive at night, if you're ok in the daytime you are at night legally. This can be approximated onto an opticians's chart but the DVLA will take ABSOLUTELY NO NOTICE OF WHAT YOU CAN SEE AT YOUR OPTICIAN.
More usefully for the OP there is a visual field requirement which is 120 degrees horizontally and 40 degrees vertically. Both are equal splits from central gaze.
There is a specific visual field test on most automated perimeters called the esterman test which the DVLA require.
If you need to do this test the only useful advice is to try and get a few practice goes first as you do get more familiarised with it with time although it seems fairly straight forward.
CVAs (strokes) are really awkward as you tend to lose visual field from the same side of both eyes but you don't feel as though it is missing. You feel all is well but they won't give you a license. They are right you just don't see the lorry until it hits you or you hit the pedestrian - its not blurred or you ignored it you just won't see it.
LGV and PSV drivers need both eyes so I'm not entirely sure about the comment regarding this earlier.
There are lots of one eyed car drivers who are quite legal and safe.
More usefully for the OP there is a visual field requirement which is 120 degrees horizontally and 40 degrees vertically. Both are equal splits from central gaze.
There is a specific visual field test on most automated perimeters called the esterman test which the DVLA require.
If you need to do this test the only useful advice is to try and get a few practice goes first as you do get more familiarised with it with time although it seems fairly straight forward.
CVAs (strokes) are really awkward as you tend to lose visual field from the same side of both eyes but you don't feel as though it is missing. You feel all is well but they won't give you a license. They are right you just don't see the lorry until it hits you or you hit the pedestrian - its not blurred or you ignored it you just won't see it.
LGV and PSV drivers need both eyes so I'm not entirely sure about the comment regarding this earlier.
There are lots of one eyed car drivers who are quite legal and safe.
Edited by DKL on Sunday 1st February 22:28
I know of a local taxi driver who only has one eye. DVLA are aware as are the local authority, the only additional condition on his public hire licence is that he has to submit an opticians report along with his licence renewal to show no deterioration in his remaining eye.
It's already been said but a trip to the opticians should sort it out for him without any problems, providing his sight is as good as you say and their aren't any other associated medical concerns.
It's already been said but a trip to the opticians should sort it out for him without any problems, providing his sight is as good as you say and their aren't any other associated medical concerns.
Edited by G51CAV on Sunday 1st February 22:52
My Dad (68) has been driving impaired for many years now (not in UK) but has thankfully just had operation to sort cataracts & glaucoma (hopefully a success once bandages are removed). It had got to the stage where he could barely see a thing at night, but makes you wonder how many are out there in a similar condition.
Ok - if the vision loss is caused by a stroke then the chances of it affecting one eye only are very slim. He may think, and it might appear to him that he as lost vision in one eye only but the way the brain is wired he has almost certainly lost part of the vision in both eyes. It is a very common mistake, i spend a lot of time explaining to people that just because they have lost vision on one side, it doesn't mean that only one eye is affected.
this explains it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homonymous_hemianopsi...
this is much, much more debilitating than loosing vision in one eye because you don't have the other eye to compensate. it is usually a straight bar to driving, no question.
Hope this helps.
this explains it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homonymous_hemianopsi...
this is much, much more debilitating than loosing vision in one eye because you don't have the other eye to compensate. it is usually a straight bar to driving, no question.
Hope this helps.
aquatix said:
My Dad (68) has been driving impaired for many years now (not in UK) but has thankfully just had operation to sort cataracts & glaucoma (hopefully a success once bandages are removed). It had got to the stage where he could barely see a thing at night, but makes you wonder how many are out there in a similar condition.
lots. You can hold a driver's licence and be registered blind.
I know this because I saw a chap with a white stick leave the driver's seat of a car. The chap's helper was quite stroppy and kept interupting my questioning. After a few phone calls via my control room I was told everything was ok. The driver said he would put in a complaint against me and I said he should be sure to include what an arse his helper had been. No complaint. But one hell of a surprise for me.
In those days you got some kind of allowance if you were blind and the white stick was more for effect than need. And, I believe, to get him, and his pain of a companion, preferential treatment.
Take care out there. It's dangerous.
I know this because I saw a chap with a white stick leave the driver's seat of a car. The chap's helper was quite stroppy and kept interupting my questioning. After a few phone calls via my control room I was told everything was ok. The driver said he would put in a complaint against me and I said he should be sure to include what an arse his helper had been. No complaint. But one hell of a surprise for me.
In those days you got some kind of allowance if you were blind and the white stick was more for effect than need. And, I believe, to get him, and his pain of a companion, preferential treatment.
Take care out there. It's dangerous.
You might find this of interest. Covers medical conditions incl visual acuity. Stroke is in Neurological section
www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/medical/aagv1.pdf
www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/medical/aagv1.pdf
Edited by paintman on Monday 2nd February 17:55
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