Extrahelp

[Extrahelp]

I was notified yesterday by the DVLA that they will no longer renew my driving licence as I failed the VF test@Specsavers..I have been tested annually to renew my licence for some yrs now.The news was a blow.

I will re read the DVLA letter again now the shock is wearing off but I keep thinking about the position I sat at in front of the machine. My right eye is already blind from a brain haemmorage some yrs ago so its my left eye that's tested. My chin was placed on the LEFT chin rest. I was told if I wanted I could place my chin right in the middle of both rests? Never had that offered before? I could be totally wrong but I'm sure in the past my chin has been placed on the 'opposite'rest to the tested eye so left eye/right chin rest for DVLA testing?

I am probably grasping at straws here but might anyone know the correct positions/chin rests used for each eye?

Thankyou for listening...

[Safehaven23]

Similar happened to me and failed again. Yet my Consultant says my eye sight has not changed in 3 years. Specsavers have control on behalf of DVLA it seems. As many people drive when they only have one eye - we wonder what is oing on!

[Extrahelp in reply to Safehaven23]

Hi !I took an eye test at Scrivens and this included a VFTest.

The optician was lovely and explained a lot more to me about glaucoma than the hospital have to date.

His father has glaucoma.

I do understand the hospitals are under great pressure.

It seems I am missing a few of the dots in the area that the dvla need me to see -within the 20? degrees?

The optician also said that he was surprised the dvla passed me for a licence in 2022 as showing him previous VFTest results I missed a couple of dots in 2022 that needed to be seen to pass..

I've concluded that the dvla are in their rights to stop my licence and I need to consol myself with the fact that the peripheral loss isn't something that's affecting me in my day to day life at the moment.

Albeit the brain is a clever tool!!

I will endeavour to remain positive and continue to do what I can to keep my eyes and body healthy including being 100% compliant with drops as always, prescribed by the consultant.

Thanks everyone for listening-I really appreciate the sharing of knowledge on this forum...

[Supersec]

I can’t help with your specific question but it might be worth paying an independent optician for another field test as you are usually allowed to appeal the decision to revoke your licence if you can provide a visual field test which meets the required standard. This should be explained in the letter you got from the DVLA.

[Extrahelp in reply to Supersec]

Yes it is possible to appeal, I am just sounding it out while my shock is still quite raw.I was confused over the options I was offered as to where I could place my chin during the field test, but too polite to say anything!

Never been offered options before?

Surely it should be consistent with whichever eye-or both in most cases-are being tested?

I will look into another test elsewhere.

I need to know one way or another.

Thankyou for listening and offering advise.

Much appreciated.

[Safehaven23 in reply to Supersec]

We are told to go to a specific Specsavers branch,,..not allowed alternative independent Opticians.

[Supersec in reply to Safehaven23]

If your licence is revoked after being tested at Specsavers you can go to an independent optician to have another test to see if you have grounds to appeal. I recently had my licence restored after I submitted at new Esterman test which was done at the Community Eye Clinic where I have my annual glaucoma checks.

[Safehaven23 in reply to Supersec]

I had the form to challenge and was sent a DVLA letter telling me to make an appointment with a Specsavers branch locally. Did so. Came back within 4 days declned...with a comment in the letter whih indicated could challenge again but must ensure the Optician sent in full details of my visual acuity - but as the Optician had told me mine was good and should be no problem...they would automatically send it in... surely. Can we rely on that? It has gone on so long now it is exhausting and I'd had enough...believe me.

[Supersec in reply to Safehaven23]

If the test at Specsavers was arranged via the DVLA they definitely should have sent the results of your visual acuity test as well as the visual field test. If you have not already done so you can request copies of what was sent by contacting [e-mail]. They may also be able to help with any other queries you have about your application.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello, if you were asked by the DVLA to resit the test every year rather than every 3 years, this would mean you were borderline in just reaching the DVLA standards to drive safely.

You can make an appeal but make sure you tell the DVLA that this is an informal appeal.

The chin rest should be pushed to the far left so that a person does not have to rest their chin on the risen part for comfort. It would not affect the test results either way.

If you can obtain copies of your VFT from Specsavers to take along to the independent optician, they can look at them alongside their test results and then tell you whether they think it is worth appealing the DVLA's decision.

[Extrahelp in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thanks Trish.I do have copies of both attempts of the VFT so I will look into resitting the test with an Independent optician.

My thoughts are still all over the place at the moment -over the driving licence and more so the deteriation being confirmed, but I totally understand the reasons behind the tests..

I appreciate your advice-thankyou..

[Toscaninni]

Dear Extrahelp

Thanks for your post. I'm anticipating problems with the DVLA test in a year's time. Because I want to know in advance of this if I am safe to drive, I've arranged a private test and consultation with my usual (good) opticians. Initially I asked Specsavers to do this but they were not at all cooperative or in any way helpful. Completely unable to give me any advice.

I'll pay £50 for this test and consultation with my optician but worth it for peace of mind. I'm hoping that the consultation will give me clear advice. I found the various replies to your post very helpful.

[Extrahelp in reply to Toscaninni]

Thanku for your comments. I've been on a short holiday to try and focus on other things in life rather than glaucoma and my driving licence.

I plan to arrange an independent VFT and I'll at least have a clearer picture of where I stand and if necessary accept the DVLA's decision.

Thanks for listening