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DVLA eye test today

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
AJLang

AJLang

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Rather nervous because I've got to go to the optician to have my vision checked including the flashing lights. Shouldn't be a problem because I have new glasses but I got a bit trigger happy with the lights last time I went for an eye test so I hope that I don't get that wrong today. Don't want to have stop driving when I've only just started again 🙄
 
Good luck. Hope it all goes well.🙂
 
All the best!! Keeping everything crossed for you... X
 
Thank you but I think I'm going to cry. The optician didn't tell me not to drive BUT I have lost peripheral vision on the outside edge of BOTH eyes - and the peripheral vision was perfect when he tested it two years ago. I don't know if it's caused by the high BGs because of the gastroparesis or the glaucoma or both. There were four spots missing at the edge of each eye - I'm worried that if this progressses that I will lose my sight. He also warned me that if my vision goes down to 6/12 in my right eye I will no longer be able to drive (it's 6/24 in my left eye)
 
((((((Amanda!!)))))) Did he say whether those spots were within your 'letterbox' or not, ie not in the 'essential' bit? I guess there would be a % error allowable too as they have to allow for nerves, twitchy trigger finger etc... It might be worth giving him a bell & asking him outright whether from what he saw today you will be within limits or not- at least you will know what you are dealing with...it hopefully sounds like it's just the extreme edge though... I don't know what to say other than try not to panic (i know, easy for me to say!!)...hopefully as you get your meds settled with all the changes that have gone for you in the last year or two, hopefully your eyes will stabilise & even improve. Do you know when the DVLA will get back to you? (((((hugs!!!)))))
 
Thanks Twitchy. I checked with him that I could keep driving. He didn't say that I couldn't but appeared to suggest that he couldn't know what the DVLA would say because they need to take other things into consideration. So I assume that for the moment I can continue to drive because nobody has said that I can't. DVLA decision takes up to 90 days. Guess im more worried about my useful sight worsening than the driving. When I went to the optician in March my visual acuity had worsened in just six months. I will be ok once I've got over the shock of the news. Thank you very much for the hugs.
 
I can't give you any advice, but just wanted to send you a hug xxxx
 
Well I think it's a really good sign that he didn't tell you not to drive - in this climate of 'sue for anything' I think if he'd had any doubts he'd have erred on the side of caution & advised you to stop, especially if he's aware that you've not been driving much until recently anyway. 🙂 Fingers crossed that it will be good news, & promptly! X
 
((((HUGS)))) from me too. xx
 
Hi Amanda,
have a look at this page
http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/medical/ataglance.aspx click on the download at a glance then read sec 3 (visual. There is an appendix bit to click on for field of vision.
Suspect if you have four missing spots you have lost your licence. 😡 But do read it carefully. (I haven't as have a splitting headache)
 
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Thanks very much Sue I found the document earlier and thought the same about the four spots........I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that I still meet the criteria because they are at the furthest part of the vision on each side. Thanks very much for finding the document for me.
 
Ps Sue I hope that your headache gets better soon. Everyone else thank you for your well wishes
 
AJLang said:
Thanks very much Sue I found the document earlier and thought the same about the four spots........I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that I still meet the criteria because they are at the furthest part of the vision on each side. Thanks very much for finding the document for me.
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I have all fingers and toes crossed for you. ((((((((hugs)))))
AJLang said:
Ps Sue I hope that your headache gets better soon. Everyone else thank you for your well wishes
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Thanks, it's easing off now. dehydration and a hypo were the cause :(
 
Crossing my fingers for you Amanda that all will be okay!
Sending a hug too.🙂

Also Sue, hope you feel better soon.🙂
 
Thank you Karen, Lucy and Sue:D
 
After much thinking about the eye test I've decided to stop driving. I would never forgive myself if I had an accident😡
 
AJLang said:
After much thinking about the eye test I've decided to stop driving. I would never forgive myself if I had an accident😡
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Hi Amanda,
don't be to hasty, just wait and see what the DVLA say first. As you said the missing bits was way out of range so to speak you might be fine and it also depends if in a cluster as well.
Can you ask your own optiction or your hospital consultant what the outcome is likely to be?
 
Thanks Sue but I've made the decision now. I really wouldn't forgive myself if I had an accident because I couldn't see something at the side of me. I already have problems judging distance because of the macula odema so I think with the latest problem it is better to be safe than sorry. It could be worse - i bought my house so that it is close to work so it's only s short taxi drive there and a bus ride back, I'm also close to shops and my partner drives me around at the weekend so it's ok.
 
AJLang said:
Thanks Sue but I've made the decision now. I really wouldn't forgive myself if I had an accident because I couldn't see something at the side of me. I already have problems judging distance because of the macula odema so I think with the latest problem it is better to be safe than sorry. It could be worse - i bought my house so that it is close to work so it's only s short taxi drive there and a bus ride back, I'm also close to shops and my partner drives me around at the weekend so it's ok.
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Hi Amanada,
well done for making that decision. It's a pity more people don't think like you. (((((((((hugs)))))))))
 
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