Eye bleeds / visual effect - rules?!

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Twitchy

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Type 1
Hello...

Can anyone please give me a steer about what the rules are for temporary effects on your vision? My situation is I have an eye that's fine and one that's having bleeds due to proliferative retinopathy, for which in the past I have been lasered. Since the last lasering I have passed (100%) the visual field test, but have had another bleed, so now have bits of blood in my vision - the effect is not so noticeable for distance work (can still read text, license plates etc) but details can be hard with the bad eye (it's causing headaches too :( ). Where on earth do I stand legally regarding driving?! Is there any kind of online resource for self assessment or something, like a sight chart I could print off?...The last thing I want to do is be irresponsible, but when I called my GP they were pretty useless, very vague & basically back covering (understandable I spose). I think at the mo I'm probably ok to drive (although the idea is quite stressful) I just would not want to drive if uninsured etc...and the problem is I need to be able to drive to get to my work (public transport just not viable & can't move for a whole bunch of reasons!).

Anyone got any advice please?... thanks!
 
Sorry, I don't know. I can only suggest phoning DVLA as they're the official body responsible for driving licence. Opticians can assess visual fields - a machine flashes tiny lights and you click a button each time you see one. Perhaps you could get a check?
 
No answer here wither I'm afraid, but I would like to say you have my utmost respect for wanting to check this out as many just let it go.

Top stuff... Hope you get a good outcome!
 
Update

Hello... went to the opticians, they looked in my eyes, did a sight check & the conclusion was that as one eye is absolutely fine (& I had scored 100% in the last field of vision test) I am legal to drive - it then comes down to individual discretion - ie do you personally feel confident / safe to drive (in the same way as only the driver can decide when they are too tired etc). Personally I will be even more careful crossing the road / being around other road users now! 😱

All good fun...
 
Good outcome. Thanks for letting us know.
 
Twitchy said:
Hello... went to the opticians, they looked in my eyes, did a sight check & the conclusion was that as one eye is absolutely fine (& I had scored 100% in the last field of vision test) I am legal to drive - it then comes down to individual discretion - ie do you personally feel confident / safe to drive (in the same way as only the driver can decide when they are too tired etc). Personally I will be even more careful crossing the road / being around other road users now! 😱

All good fun...
Click to expand...

Im afraid its not individual descretion if you feel safe to drive. When you renew your licence (am presuming the DVLA know you are an insulin dependant diabetic?), you have to fill in medical questionnaires. The part on eyes is very specific. If you have had laser for retinopathy you need to fill in the dates, if you have any other macular diseases you have to pass to the ptician who will fill in that part. My understanding is that if you only have one eye affected its fine if its two they need to know the visual acuity?

Have just re read and understand you mean if you feel safe after the assesmments, i thought you meant that was the only measure, sorry
 
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