advice please - I have to book to have a DVLA vft. The Specsaver branches they have offered me have either Zeus’s HFA3 830 or Humphrey 740i machines. Which are the best/easiest please as this is my first time.
Naturally I have had many vft in the past at the eye clinic and opticians, but I understand the machines at specsavers are different.
any help or guidance would be much appreciated.
thank you
p.s. - I am currently waiting for a cataract op, should I wait until after the op or do the test before the op?
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Nala2509
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hi, the test works exactly the same as at clinic. The only difference is that you wear your glasses and have both eyes open so it replicates what you see when you are driving. Good luck
I don’t think one is better than the other to be honest. They both do same thing. I think I went for Humphrey when I last did it as I think that’s the one I’m used to in clinic but it’s probably no difference. I’m due in November
Hi I was so nervous when I had to do this. Specsavers were brilliant, they understood how I felt and were so supportive. I can’t remember which machine I used however being able to have both eyes open was a blessing. Check time constraint from the DVLA to have your test, as it would take take several weeks after your cataract op for your eyes to settle and may be too late for the DVLA. I’m sure it will all go well x
I think I would do the test before the cataract op as you do not know how much your sight may change after the op. Also, you only have a certain amount of time before your licence renewal date to do the test. In my area of Dorset, there are only Zeiss machines, but I don’t believe they are much different from the machines I have used in the past. A good thing about the DVLA test is that, unlike the hospital test, the lights don’t vary in intensity . Good luck!
The optician at our brand new SpecSavers recommends the Humphrey. I had a conversation with him about the Henson and he said the Humphrey had the gold standard. Not sure quite what he meant. I think he was speaking metaphorically. But do ensure they centralise the chin rest. Personally, I’d wait until you’ve had your cataract op because I’m sure you’ll get more clarity.
Please don’t worry about doing this test and ask for a paper copy of the result being sent to the DVLA.
I didn’t have a choice and used the Humphrey Esterman machine.
The machines are designed to keep checking any area they feel there may be an issue during each test. It’s not just ‘one shot’ at it. You can have 3 turns & the best result is used.
I’ve attached my result last year & my 3-yr medical license was renewed.
After researching how to read the result I interpreted it as a total 150o field of vision with 1 missed point and no defect in the 20o circle I’ve drawn.
I believe there must be no more 3 missed points, but there are rules about where they are.
The machine really is working in your favour to give the best result to the DVLA.
Good luck and try to relax and keep breathing during the test! 😊
For info, the DVLA requirement for ordinary (Group 1) drivers is defined as:-
“a field of at least 120° on the horizontal measured using the Goldmann III4e setting or the equivalent. In addition, there should be no significant defect in the binocular field which encroaches within 20° of fixation either above or below the horizontal meridian”
thank you, much appreciated. I have to admit I am very anxious about it, if I fail, not only do I lose my license, but also my business and income! So a lot is riding on this test.
I forgot to say… my DVLA test was pre-cataract op.
I’d recommend doing DVLA test done now. You certainly don’t want to be without your license if it expires anytime soon. As long as you’ve done the test, you’re covered until you get the DVLA’s final decision.
My 1st cataract op was 12wks ago and I’m ‘priority ‘ for 2nd op (having major visual imbalance now). I still don’t have a date though and am therefore not driving.
if you’ve not been told by your eye consultant of an issue with your last visual field test, I’m pretty sure you’ll sail through the DVLA test 😊
I have not done one for 10 years, and I don't know which one I did, I do know that is completely different from doing them at the eye clinic, with the DVLA one you do it with both eyes at the same time instead of one eye at a time if that helps also apparently you can have 3 goes at it. All the best for the test hope it goes well.
When I did my test I selected the local Specsavers branch that had a machine similar to what I am used to when attending eye hospital appointments for the virtual glaucoma clinic. Rather strange doing the test with both eyes and with my glasses on.
As well as getting 3 goes at the test, with the best result being submitted to the DVLA, your vision for reading an eye chart will be checked - for some unexplained reason I had to read the chart with my glasses off and then with them on.
If Specsavers do not give you a copy of the test then you will need to make a Subject Access Request to the DVLA - I had to do this and only got the copy today, having done the test at the end of March.
I do hope all goes well for you - I will add you to my prayer list.
I agree get it done before the cataract op unless the cataract is really bad as you won't have time to recover before the test. It sounds as though your Specsavers is ok, but be aware some aren't up to scratch., I lost my licence for two months due to a failed test at one of them, and had to get the test done at two other branches, which were fine, and then struggle with DVLA inefficiencies to get my licence back. If you have trouble email glaucomaqueries@dvla.gov.uk straight away.
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