Hi, I've just been diagnosed with left open angle glaucoma. I'm really upset and worried about losing my licence as Ive seen the feedback about specsavers VF test and I always do a really poor test .I've read that you don't have to tell the DVLA if it only affects one eye, is this true? the eye consultant just told me I did have to inform them, my right eye is fine and he's only prescribed drops for the left.
Thanks, any advice greatly appreciated 🙏
if it is only in one eye you dont notify them - as long as you have vision in both eyes gov.uk/eye-conditions-and-d...
To the best of my knowledge, having had glaucoma in both eyes for many years, you do not have to report your condition to the dvla if it effects only one eye and your other eye is disease free, hope that helps.
You don't have to I have sent you a link regarding gluacoma and driving glaucoma.uk/care-support/dr... hope it helps
Hi, so sorry about your partner, I can relate that when you get some negative news about your eyes out of the blue it is all consuming...
Apart from all the good advice on here, it may also be worth him looking at nutrician and supplements. There is lots he can do to ensure optimum health. I personally take bilbury, lutin and zeaxanthin supplement, krill oil or omega 3, vitamin B3, Rutin and a few others. Collard greens such as kale, spinach, green apples, generally Mediterranean diet. All these things really help as I had a second opinion and after taking such added things my IOP has reduced and there is no sign of cataracts that they said was there before. The latest consultant even said he found it difficult to convince himself of signs of glaucoma when I was previously told something else. Second opinion is always good too.
I agree with sentiments above, as long as he is doing everything he can to take control of this himself and keep his appts, he can put it in the back seat of worry so to speak and get on with life as normal.
one eye only glaucoma does NOT have to be reported to DVLA.
Hi! Sorry to hear your diagnosis. I really empathise with where your head is probably at at the moment having gone through similar in 2018. I would suggest some caution. I would ask your consultant to clarify exactly why they think you need to report to DVLA if glaucoma is only in one eye and get precise details from them. I say this as the current actual wording on DVLA website is this:
“If the condition only affects one eye and you have sight in both eyes, you only have to tell DVLA if you:
- do not meet the visual standards for driving
- have been told you may not meet the visual standards for driving by a GP, optician or eye specialist”
So as your consultant has suggest you report to DVLA even though it is only one eye, your consultant may have reason to believe you don’t meet the driving standards OR just isn’t aware of the DVLA advice. You need to be sure which it is.
The other thing to consider is do you only have a standard car or motorbike driving licence? If you drive a mini bus or lorry the rules are different.
My consultant told me that he would tell me if he thought I wasn’t fit to drive otherwise I should consider he thinks I’m fine. You need to have the same conversation with your consultant.
The repercussions of not reporting when you should are big. The repercussions of reporting when you don’t need to can also open up a whole can of worms too.
Good luck! We’re a nice bunch and we’re here if you need support. 🙂
I should add I had no dilemma as I had to report to DVLA as I had glaucoma in both eyes and in addition was advised to do so by my consultant. The consultant feels I meet the driving standards, but will let me know as soon as I don’t, so I can be prepared at that point that I’ll probably fail the dvla test.
Open Angle glaucoma and Duloxetine medication 
DVLA vision test
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Open Angle 
