Dvla test,What is the best machine?

[Christian636]

Henson 9000 machine and Humprey which is the Best machines to use for the visual field.Dlva are only recommending Humprey for me.

[JustAmanda]

Having been recalled from two sets of tests on the Humphrey, last week I explicitly chose a different Specsavers, who were advertised as having the Henson. When I got there I was told my test would be on the Humphrey, but was advised if they were not satisfied, I could go downstairs and do the other on a Henson! The lady conducting the test told me she thought I’d be better on the Humphrey!!!

At that stage I poured out my story of failure on the Humphrey and told her I no longer possessed the confidence to perform satisfactorily using it. I particularly told her that, although I’ve never had double vision, I was always seeing two central lights! She was very reassuring and simply said that she’d ensure it was set up correctly. And, guess what!? She repositioned the chin rest, centralising it and lifting it slightly. That had not been done on either the two tests, or the single test I’d had previously! Thinking about it, it’s set up to test each eye individually, so testing both eyes from a left handed position could, arguably, affect one’s field of vision! I don’t know. I only know that I feel I can see very well, and that I have a wide field of vision, so not meeting their requirements was very confusing - and stressful.

I’ve yet to get the results of my most recent tests but the lady seemed happy enough, so fingers crossed. …..but they’d always appeared happy before. The frustrating thing is that the hospital are happy with my ocular hypertension, which is well managed with Monopost drops. I’m not even sure that I needed to declare it when trying to change the address on my driving licence, so always check thoroughly, whether your condition is reportable, because once you’re on this treadmill, it’s impossible to get off and in many cases, will be forever.

More concerning, is the fact that practice seems to vary from one Specsavers to another and it now seems fairly obvious that the chin test needs to be adjusted when both eyes are being used together for the test. I’d be interested to know whether it’s been adjusted for other people.

[Quissy]

I have had tests on both machines. The Humphrey seems to be the the most prolific and when ever I have been tested at a NHS hospital it has been a Humphrey. The chin rest is designed for testing left or right eye one by one. The DVL test requires both eyes together so the Humphrey is a bit of a compromise with your chin resting on the vee piece in the middle.

The Henson they set it up via the machine left, right or both eyes.

Look at this you tube video for details of the Henson 9000

youtu.be/oAiIDw4cygY(Not working as expected?)

There are also videos on the Humphrey.

The Chat GPT on Edge gave me this

According to ¹, Humphrey Visual field test machines tend to be the ones used at the eye clinic. The only difference with the DVLA machine is that the brightness is constant, rather than changing from bright to dim. The Humphrey machines are usually the ones used in the hospitals, where you fixate on a central light. With the Henson machine you start off looking at a central light and then need to look to your right at a red light and then left while pressing a button every time you see another light appear ¹.

The Henson machine requires you to start looking at a central light and press a button every time you see another light appear. You then move your focus to a red light either to your right or left, and press the button when you see other lights appearing ⁵.

I hope this helps.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 03/05/2023(1) DVLA Field Test Machines: I have to book a DVLA... - Glaucoma UK. healthunlocked.com/glaucoma... Accessed 03/05/2023.

(2) DVLA test: Henson 9000 or Humphrey 720i machine? - Glaucoma UK. healthunlocked.com/glaucoma... Accessed 03/05/2023.

(3) Field of vision testing equipment ..advice ple... - Glaucoma UK. healthunlocked.com/glaucoma... Accessed 03/05/2023.

(4) USEFUL ADVICE FROM GLAUCOMA UK about DVLA FV test. healthunlocked.com/glaucoma... Accessed 03/05/2023.

(5) Henson 9000 Visual Fields Analyser - Grafton Optical. graftonoptical.com/vfhen9000 Accessed 03/05/2023.

I prefer the HENSON. Seemed not so stressful. Look at the video and you will then probably know more about what to expect. I found that Humphrey makes you stare and causes eye strain. The Henson is a more natural way of viewing.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello,

Either would do the test well. The Humphrey has been around longer, and tends to be the machine used at hospitals as well. Some Henson's have a red light you must follow/acknowledge. The Humphrey doesn't.

Any visual field test machine has the option of repositioning the chin rest, which can be moved all the way to the right. You do not have to rest your chin on the uncomfortable raised section in the middle.

[Quissy in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Trish interested to know that the chin rest can be moved. This was not my experience. This goes to prove that not all SpecSavers staff are trained to the same level. It might have been just that one site. Does the DVLA review SpecSavers procedures and levels of training?

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner in reply to Quissy]

Yes they do. It is important that you make them aware so they can look into the Specsavers branch, and how they perform the tests.

[Quissy in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Trish That is very good advise. As it was over 6 years ago I will let it pass but going forward it is useful to know.