Will my squint affect the outcome of the DVLA field test?

[Rescobie]

I recently advised the DVLA that I had Glaucoma and I have now received the "standard letter" from the DVLA telling me to book an appointment with Specsavers for my eyesight to be tested.

I have my appointment on 27 March 2023 at 10.00am at the Totnes Branch of Specsavers.

When I have had a field test either at my usual opticians or the Royal Eye Infirmary in Plymouth I always feel nervous and don't think I have done very well - although I have been told all remains well with my eyes.

I have never done the DVLA test before and I am concerned that as I have a very bad outward squint in my right eye I may not do well in the test and lose my driving licence.

Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.

[PeterRabbit62]

BHi it's a long time ago since I did mine and then you could do them at your local opticians which I liked very much, because I too get nervous when doing field vision test if I do them in a strange place where I don't know anyone, I hate field vision test. When you do the DVLA one you do it with both eyes together not separately like you do with the field vision test if that helps, best wishes good luck.

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hi. This is probably too late as you have already been for your appointment. Your squint shouldn't have affected your driving visual field test as you do it with both eyes. Also you are obviously driving at the moment and not experiencing any problems. Your left eye, if it has good vision, will compensate for any problems with your other eye.

I hope it all went well for you.

[Rescobie in reply to Helen_GlaucomaUK]

Hi Helen - many thanks for your reply. Although I have done field tests at my local opticians and the REI in Plymouth on a number of occasions, I found the test yesterday very stressful as I had to go to an opticians I did not know in a neighbouring town that I visit infrequently.

The staff were very kind and considerate but I had to do the test 3 times. During the first test I double clicked on one occasion that made the test invalid. I became more stressed as I did the other tests, with the most satisfactory one being submitted to the DVLA.

Doing the test with my distance glasses on and with both eyes was a new experience as in the past I have had to cover up each eye and look through a reading glass lens.

With the visual distance test I had to read the eye chart without my glasses at first (a real challenge) and then with my glasses on - what a relief to be able to read all but the smallest letters.

Although the staff could not discuss the results or give me a copy of the field print out they did their best to reassure me.

I do hope I can keep my licence as I am the carer for my disabled cousin and need to be able to drive her to her various hospital appointments.