I am newly diagnosed and am so worried about the possibility of not being able to drive. I'm 43 and have many years to go before I can afford to give up work!
I realise that many people do drive with glaucoma but for me, being able to work depends on me being able to drive there. I work very irregular hours and sometimes have to travel all over the country with alot of kit to do it. Public transport is not an option and neither is working from home - I'm a make-up artist.
The clarity of my close up vision is good so I'm confident I can do my job well, but I have a patch missing in my vision in my left eye. I'm so worried that this will mean I fail the DVLA test I'm told I do have glaucoma in my right eye as well but it's not as bad.
Does anyone on here have experience of a similar situation?
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Bonniecat7
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Hi Bonniecat7, you’re in a very similar situation and frame of mind to that I found myself in when I was first diagnosed. I also have some field loss - for me in both eyes - but to date have managed to pass the DVLA field vision tests (I’ve done three now over the past years with my next one due early next year). Even though I rationalise that there are people driving who have only got sight in one eye and that I feel fine to drive, for me I’ve always worried until I got that licence renewal. I think it’s a combination of the issues caused by loss of a licence but also that loss of a licence would be a real signal that my sight is getting worse - and none of us want to hear that. The DVLA test is a bit different to the hospital fields in that you get to use both eyes at once so you get a better shot at seeing those dots. I’m sure others will have experiences to share. Good luck and just let me know if you want to know anything else.
Thank you Scortonman63. That's very reassuring. As far as I know I only have field loss in one eye at the moment, so as long as I am using both I have no awareness of the problem. Will I have to take the test annually?
I had a test in Feb this year (first one after being diagnosed with glaucoma in Jan) and was told that I could keep my licence. The letter I received from DVLA advised me to discuss whether I met the minimum standards for driving at every appointment with my 'optician/eye specialist' and if either my doctor, optician or eye specialist tell me my eyesight (with correction if required) does not meet the minimum standard for driving then I was to inform DVLA. So basically no more tests until the specialists say I dont meet the minimum standards for driving.
Hi Bonniecat, sorry to hear about your glaucoma and a young age, it seems the condition can arrive quite early in life ! I live in Spain and it's slightly different over here with road safety being a bit hap hazard, crazy Spanish drivers...! I recently had serious onset Glaucoma also affecting my left eye, Only months ago I would happily drive 100 miles and back, now my eyes get fatigued at around 20 miles from the vision loss I've suffered and feel tired after driving. ! that maybe something you'll have to consider when setting off on a long journey ! Especially if your applying make up...the condition really does mess with your life so it's a matter of discovery at what it restricts you to ! I'm a musician and I'm finding I'm not keen on playing so much now, especially long distance work...So I wish you all the best and hoping all goes well with the driving test...you will be fine..
Hi Noel,Sorry to hear about your glaucoma. It's so interesting to hear about the tiredness. I have been complaining about getting tired easily for years now and perhaps it is linked. I am particularly tired and headachey after driving. I had put it down to the fact that I only wear glasses for driving so not used to wearing them, but is suppose because of the vision loss my other eye and brain are working harder to make up for it, so would make sense. I know I have had it for 5 years because my current optician got my scan photos from the last optician and he can see nerve damage on there which wasn't picked up at the time 😕
Thanks for the replay Bonniecat....yep never felt so tired but it could be the stress of it all, interested to know how your vision loss manifests itself compared to mine, mine is partially noticeable when I blink, it's like I can see my iris, also mine is central not periferal and looks like a rain cloud when looking into the distance, when I look at my IPad I see grey smudges in my left eye, it's going to take some getting used to....I can't read text with my left eye, it's just a shimmer blocking the words, like you my vision up close with two eyes is acceptable, I really notice the difference going out in bright daylight, everything seems blurred but that could be caused by the eye drops I take which is Alphagan and Azargar ever 12 hours and Lantanoprost at night....always happy to chat about our condition etc...giving support and chat helps deal with the condition.Brgds Noel..
Hi again Noel,Mine is like a horizontal curved grey stripe, just above my central vision. Someone on here described theirs as being like an eyebrow, which I can relate to, although I can see a little bit above it as well. I can only see it when I cover my right eye, so if I look at a picture, say, the top of the frame and right corner is missing. I too struggle in bright light and am very quick to reach for my sunglasses.
I realise that for me to calm down my worry, I'm going to have to put alot of faith in the eye doctor, which I'm struggling to do at the moment.
I do however have alot of faith in my optician and he had said I must contact him anytime for a chat if I have any questions or am worried.
Thanks for that Bonniecat, I can't believe that my everyday life is now governed by my newly acquired eye problems....it's all consuming isn't it ! Only 3 months ago I'd never even looked at an eye related website...It's like if tomorrow will my vision be worse ? I can't even look 10 years forward it's too scary....sadly my wife just brushes my problems away as trivial...but she doesn't see what I see ! Last night when I closed my eyes to go to sleep I was seeing faces, I know this is related to Glaucoma....! Just like you, For me it's early days it takes a lot of getting used to and I have to admit it's difficult at the moment and for you too as you're still working, luckily I don't work full time now just a part time musician..! Hoping that it gets easier...I crave to have the days back when my eyes were fine...strangely I used to suffer bad reflux...since my eye problems have appeared my reflux has gone....to be honest I'd rather just have the reflux..lol ... x
Hi Bonniecat7 - I’m sorry I can’t answer your question but wanted to reach out as I am also 43 and just being diagnosed and have a patch missing in my right eye. I have just had laser around two months ago and am not taking any drops - I am waiting to see if the laser has worked. It’s a lot to take in and very scary - I am starting to feel better about things than I did. I just wanted to say hi as we are the same age and I’ve thought a lot about the lots of years to get through!
Hi Gobaith,Thank you for getting in touch. It's quite a shock isn't it?!
I think my consultant us still figuring out what to do with me as only had one appointment so far. I'm currently on drops once per day, but perhaps I will need laser surgery. If so, I'll be back to pick your brains about it if that's ok?
Hi Bonniecat7. I was diagnosed in January this year. Like you I have glaucoma in both eyes with a blind spot in my left eye (vision in left eye is fine). I took the DVLA field vision test in February. The field vision test is similar/same as the test you take at the opticians. DVLA have designated opticians (test centres) and send you a list of opticians where you can take the test. My closest was a branch of the same opticians I use normally and was using the same equipment and therefore I was confident of getting a similar result to what I get on my normal visits. And as I always ‘passed’ my normal field tests I was sort of confident I would pass the DVLA one.
Bonniecat7-Thank you for sharing your situation with everyone.
I have a little bit of a different perspective on things. I am teacher with children who are blind and visually impaired and I help them learn how to travel with tools to help them.
I also held a position where I had the same role but with adults.
I hope you don't take my suggestion in the wrong way, I am only sending this message out of caring and love.
I would just like to suggest that you consider doing your same job in a different way.
What I mean is that if you would consider "doing make up", but maybe teaching others to do make up, or thinking about all the jobs you could do where you didn't have to depend on your ability to drive/using your vision .
Could you teach people who want to become make up artist? This would put you in one building applying your craft, but in a different way. Or could you help people ( it would be great if you could work with famous people $$) who want to start their own make up lines.
We know that Glaucoma is an eye condition that can get worse, so taking the time now while you still have good vision to alter your skills to fit a different future could really help you.
Of course I am not saying give up driving now. But be smart about the future.
I have listen to many stories over the years about people that are preforming one job like a very talented violinist or an athlete who become unable to do their job and have to learn to do it in a different way and they find happiness in changing their career path.
I hope this gives you some perspective on what I am recommending. Making this change will make whatever comes your way even easier to deal with.
Thank you for your kind e-mail. Unfortunately there really is no way do my job without driving or sight. I do often work in one building as it is but have to drive to get to it as it’s nighttime work, buses are not an option. And now after covid, there is less and less regular employment - in an industry that was always more freelance based anyway this has become even more so. Work is scarce, you have to go wherever it happens to be that day.
I don’t mean to sound negative, but the type of make-up and Wig work I do is so specialist, it is very difficult for someone not in the industry to understand. Everything I do relies on what it looks like, so if I can’t see it properly I simply can’t do it! And I already work with famous people so know that route is no different.
Great insight! Yes, I know what it is like to be the only one that has a talent. I just know the other side... the adult who can't drive any more( and can't imagine a life without driving) and only has the skill set that requires driving to do their job.
I would just ask that now when you have good vision to consider a future life without driving. There are so many people who can't drive and life great fulfilled lives.
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