Visual Field Tests And Driving

[Quiet_Lin]

Hello. I've got glaucoma and have to do the DVLA VFT tests.

I needed to find out more as I am floundering about it all.

First, I found the Glaucoma UK youtube video about Driving And Glaucoma. That is here - youtube.com/watch?v=fJD_glf...(Not working as expected?) - well worth a watch.

Second, I found the DVLA "Guide to Assessing Fitness To Drive For Doctors. This lays out the legislation concerned. That can be found here - gov.uk/government/publicati... - only chapter 6 covers visual defects.

Then there is the Glaucoma leaflet - glaucoma.uk/wp-content/uplo...

Here is the email address to get copies from the DVLA - [e-mail] Thanks to Trish_GlaucomaUK for that.

I feel a bit more clued up now thanks to this website and all the wonderful information they collate.

From now on, I am going to get a print out of all my VF tests so that I can follow what is happening myself.

Best of luck to everyone.

[mrswaffle]

thanks for that; it’s a lot of useful info! I have just returned from doing my test and couldn’t have had better treatment. The staff at Specsavers in Dorchester were lovely, the room was dark and quiet. I notice there is now an extra bit to the test; the optometrist does a sight check (reading letters on a screen, with and without glasses). I thought this seemed a sensible addition, I wonder how much emphasis will be placed on it.

[Quiet_Lin in reply to mrswaffle]

Yes, Specsavers vary from store to store. Glad you have a good experience. I think the extra sight test does play a part as they can give your Snellen test result as well. Best of luck.

[NewCardinal in reply to mrswaffle]

What sort of machine does the visual fields in Dorchester? Is it the same as the one at the hospital?

[mrswaffle in reply to NewCardinal]

it’s a Zeiss HFA3 830 and so are the machines at Poole, Winton, and Boscombe, which were the others I was offered. I took my previous tests at Weymouth (2020) and Ringwood (2017), neither of which are now doing the test. Talk about the runaround!

[Quiet_Lin]

So relieved to report that my licence has been renewed for 3 years. I'm going to email DVLA to get copies of my test. That will be my benchmark against any future VFTs. Kind regards to everyone.