The diabetic eye test

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JackyAM

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Type 2
Hi, I have my eye test coming up and they've said I shouldn't drive after. Driving is really the only way I can get there.

I was just wondering, have any of you driven after the test, and how badly does it affect your eyes for them to suggest you don't drive after?
 
You definitely shouldn’t drive @JackyAM ! The drops they use to dilate your eyes really affect your vision. You could be prosecuted if you drive like that - as the eye specialist pointed out during the last clinic I went to. Your eyesight will be extremely blurry. I couldn’t read anything and it felt like someone had smeared thick Vaseline over my eyeballs. It’s also very hard to focus on anything.

So you’ll need to use public transport or arrange a lift. My letter always has a phone number on it to call if you’re having problems with transport 🙂

Take a pair of sunglasses to wear after as your eyes will be really sensitive to light, even normal non-sunny daylight.

The drops do sting quite nastily for a few seconds but that soon goes. I hope it goes well for you.
 
JackyAM said:
I was just wondering, have any of you driven after the test, and how badly does it affect your eyes for them to suggest you don't drive after?
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I have never driven after the test.
Luckily, I am able to walk the short distance home and would not put myself in charge of a potentially fatal piece of machinery when I am unable to see properly.
And my eyesight it definitely affected - I am unable to read my computer screen for at least an hour afterwards. On one occasion the affect lasted 4 hours.

Please don't risk your life or anyone else's by trying to drive after receiving eye drops to dilate your pupils. I appreciate it can be inconvenient but the test is important so don't avoid a few hours of discomfort and logistic issues by cancelling the appointment. If retinopathy is not detected early enough, you will be unable to drive for longer than a few hours.
 
What Inka said. It's true! If you can't get a lift there and back - arrange a taxi. Otherwise ring the retinology service who have arranged the test and tell them you can't get to wherever it is by public transport.
 
I had to go by bus to mine once, only involved walking a quarter of a mile from bus stop to clinic but having done the reverse walk back to the bus stop - I then couldn't read the number on the front of the buses so just had to flag em all down and ask the drivers what number bus they were driving. Deeply embarrassing when there was no sign of me being visually impaired other than the sunglass in broad daylight and Oh, PS - it's just as bad on a grey dreary winters day as in high summer with brilliant sunshine! - and if the weather's cloudy and wet - even worse because of reflection from the puddles.
 
Thank you , I had no idea - I was thinking like the drops they give you on the normal eye test, obviously I wouldn't want to risk driving and it's why I asked. I'll have to get my daughter out of bed, lol (she works late nights) that sounds the best way, then she can lead me to the car!
Thanks again x
 
I seriously wouldn’t drive, I had blurry vision and couldn’t focus after I had it done.
Whilst everyone is affected differently it still affects your vision.. you won’t be covered by law or your insurance.. the cost of public transport/taxi is minimal to the worse case scenario. If you can’t afford travel there may be a patient transport service, or if on benefits you may be able to get the costs refunded.
 
I've just got my appointment for my first reno check up as well, thankfully I don't drive but I'm taking my largest son with me to be 'my eyes' afterwards as losing vision is a real fear of mine (my job and all my hobbies depend on it) and I've heard and read the effects can be quite bad.
Its always better to be safe than sorry.
 
I would never drive because you are told not to and it does affect your vision but it's not so bad that you can't see to walk. I usually walk along to the hospital and walk/jog back afterwards. Haven't run into a lamppost or a tree yet! Your vision is just a bit blurry for an hour or two... although it can be up to 6 hours after the drops for some people and the light can be a bit painful, because your pupils are dilated, so do take sunglasses even on a dull day.
 
JackyAM said:
Thank you , I had no idea - I was thinking like the drops they give you on the normal eye test, obviously I wouldn't want to risk driving and it's why I asked. I'll have to get my daughter out of bed, lol (she works late nights) that sounds the best way, then she can lead me to the car!
Thanks again x
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With these drops pupils look like saucers afterwards & stay like that for while, it allows loads of light to flood for them to see back of eyes, hence blurriness outside coming home.

People looking might think your high on something with pupils so wide.
 
Thank you everyone.
Stevart, I am the same, reading, TV, computer, driving - I'd be lost without my sight.
 
JackyAM said:
Hi, I have my eye test coming up and they've said I shouldn't drive after. Driving is really the only way I can get there.

I was just wondering, have any of you driven after the test, and how badly does it affect your eyes for them to suggest you don't drive after?
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It's not a suggestion.
It's a condition of the "treatment" that you do not drive.
Your insurer will not cover you if you do decide to drive home in the period after.
From memory, it's around four hours, (I could be wrong there).
You can go round town, and for a coffee in the period, and drive home after though.
 
travellor said:
It's not a suggestion.
It's a condition of the "treatment" that you do not drive.
Your insurer will not cover you if you do decide to drive home in the period after.
From memory, it's around four hours, (I could be wrong there).
You can go round town, and for a coffee in the period, and drive home after though.
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Thank you, though it really would help if they actually made that clear in the letter, it says nothing about being a condition of the treatment that you don't drive.

Anyway - I am NOT going to drive.

Thank you for your help.
 
Well they can't physically stop you trying to drive and endangering not only yourself but anyone else who happens to get in the way - since they're not the Police - only advise you not to. Hence if you do ever meet with an accident because you ignore that bit - you cannot legally hold them responsible - all down to yourself being stupid.

Frankly - if anyone on here ever thought it was ridiculously over cautious advice - we'd soon say so! - and yet, none of us has done that ....... we have, to a man, all agreed it's perfectly correct and necessary.
 
Would you suggest booking the day off work or would you go in after having it done?
 
Lozmoz said:
Would you suggest booking the day off work or would you go in after having it done?
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I looked as if I was on drugs for the rest of the day my pupils were so dilated when I had mine so might be wise to have the day off.
 
I did office work, so went home for the rest of the day. Pete worked in a factory doing presswork, but needed to have sharp eyesight to get the angles set correctly on the press. I suggest there is hardly a job where you don't need decent eyesight!
 
I always call back and ask to change to an appointment late in the day so I don’t have to go back to work after, as I work at two computer screens and they are quite bright
 
I had my first ever check today. Luckily I had a lift. I could never have driven home. The brightness of outdoor light made me feel disorientated and nauseous which lasted a good hour or so. Please don’t drive yourself.
 
Call in a cafe, cup of coffee, chat to the man/woman on the next seat.
That passes an hour and then you drive home.
Paul G
 
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