DVLA decision

[CUFCblues]

Hi everyone,

Diagnosed with open angle glaucoma about 2 years ago, no sign of it up until then despite frequent eye checks by opthalmology clinic at hospital due to diabetic retinopathy.

Licence was due for renewal so dvla asked for binocular field vision test at Specsavers, told after test by opticians that result was borderline so would have to wait on dvla decision, got letter last week to say that test wasn't satisfactory so my licence has been revoked, eyesight was fine other than that so really feel disappointed but understand that if they feel that I'm not safe to drive then so be it.

Only 4 weeks ago asked ophthalmologist if they thought my sight was fine for driving, they said no problems as far as they were concerned as had done well on hospital field test machine and eyesight was above what you need to drive.

I'm carer for my wife so this has come as a disappointment and tbh I'm feeling really down about things, spoke with consultants secretary who has arranged another field vision test at hospital so will see what they have to say then. Just looking to ask if others have been through thus ordeal then managed to get dvla to reverse the decision.

Many thanks for reading my post.

[Jazzers]

Hi

I'm really sorry to hear that you had your licence revoked. I've been on a 1 year recall for DVLA test for past 6 years. It is extremely stressful (I had another test yesterday at Specsavers so I'm now once again in waiting mode).

Just a few points in case you aren't aware. The visual field test done by your ophthalmologist or optician to check on your glaucoma progression is very different from the DVLA test. Not just because the DVLA (Esterman) test is done using both eyes but it is done over a much wider field. Hospital tests generally concentrate on a relatively narrow central vision field and don't look beyond that, whereas DVLA covers 160 degrees and they require 120 degree vision (although it can be 70 degrees to one side and 50 to the other). The reason I say this is that if you are going to repeat another hospital visual field test then I suggest you ask them to carry out an Esterman test and review this with your ophthalmologist rather than the usual 24 degree test because that is the test result DVLA have assessed.

DVLA require you to satisfy 3 criteria from the test. 1) Visual acuity (standard eye "reading " test - it sounds from what you've written that you'll have passed this....2) visual field central 20 degree circle 3) visual field test peripheral area (the 120 degree vision I mentioned earlier). The other issue that can cause a failure is if the test isn't carried out properly - ice, with high levels of errors and if this was the case the Specsavers technician should have explained that. You are allowed 3 attempts at the test so I hope that Specsavers encouraged you to do this at the time.

The details and assessment criteria for this is all on the DVLA website and there have been lots of good discussion inputs on this forum over recent years you can review.

Although I've passed each of my tests (just) so far, my understanding is that in the event of failure you can undergo the test again. I'm guessing they will have set that out in the letter you sent to you.

I hope you are able to review an Esterman test with your consultant and gain a better understanding of any limitations you have. I also hope as you are borderline, you are able to successfully redo the test.

Best wishes

[CUFCblues in reply to Jazzers]

Many thanks indeed Jazzers for your thorough explanation.

Definitely will ask for same test to be carried out at hospital then review with Ophthalmologist.

Visual acuity plus central vision were all good, just peripheral vision is where lights were missed, score was 86/120 so missed fair few.

Will appeal if hospital tests go well so will no doubt have to go back to Specsavers at some point, really hoping your test results will be all good so you get your licence renewed. Again many thanks for your detailed reply, its much appreciated.

[hosbay in reply to Jazzers]

Do you know what the fail criteria is?

[hosbay in reply to Jazzers]

Do you know what the failur criteria is (e,g, numbers and locations of misses)?

[Jazzers in reply to hosbay]

Hi This link should take you to the DVLA (Gov.uk) website page where it lists the criteria for passing the test. To answer your question, it doesn't mention the number of overall misses, just the locations and numbers in these specific locations.

gov.uk/guidance/visual-diso...

Hope this helps

[hosbay in reply to Jazzers]

Thanks Jazzer. Yes I knew about the guidance but I have great difficulty relating it to the scattering of dots in the 6 rings of the test chart.

[Jazzers in reply to hosbay]

Ah.....my apologies Hosbay, I misunderstood and I also struggle with that a bit. I think the central loss criteria is a bit more straightforward in that they say in the guidance what is unacceptable (a cluster of 4 or more adjoining points .....within 20 degree area etc... - i.e. the first 2 concentric rings which are 10 degrees apart.) However, for the peripheral vision part, which for me is my key risk area, I find it less clear as the descriptors of what they say are acceptable (or will be disregarded) are a bit difficult to interpret. An example sketch would help a great deal!

The way I've looked at it has been that they say you need 120 degrees which can be 70 plus 50 or 60 plus 60 (each side) and if there are any missed dots around the "horizontal meridian" as they call it, then they must fit the 2 criteria they list i.e. " cluster of up to 3 adjoining missed points etc..." and "a vertical defect etc....".

It could certainly be much clearer I think.

[hosbay in reply to Jazzers]

Thanks Jazzers for your reply. Yes it is very cofusing. How do you know the central 20 degrees is the circular area within the second ring? I was also a little bit unsure if the critical failed points have to be next to one another in ordewr to fail.

[Jazzers in reply to hosbay]

Hi Hosbay each of the marks on the horizontal line indicate 10 degree gaps, therefore each circle corresponds in a similar way I.e. the first ring is 10 degrees, the second 20 degrees and so on. When the guidance states acceptable misses in the “ central 20 degree area” then it means misses inside the first 2 concentric rings. At least that’s my interpretation……..

It also talks about misses being in “clusters” or “adjoining points” so I interpret that as saying isolated failed points are generally ok as they are not adjacent to other misses. Does that make sense?

[hosbay in reply to Jazzers]

Yes but a bit unsure about meridian and the vertical criteria

[Supersec]

If the DVLA revoke your licence because of the results of the test done at Specsavers, you are allowed to submit a repeat test done by an independent optometrist (at your own expense). This should be explained in the letter you receive from the DVLA asking you to return your licence. Unfortunately though following this the DVLA may then ask you to go back to Specsavers for another test! . I have had my licence revoked twice in 10 years (with successful tests in between) but have had it restored both times after submitting another test. Unfortunately this all takes time which means you could be without your licence for two or three months.

[CUFCblues]

At Ophthalmology dept in morning for eye check and field vision test, hoping they can do binocular test the same as Specsavers do or thereabouts, will take along print out from spesavers to show consultant the results, hoping result at hospital might be better therefore get some supporting evidence from clinic to appeal to DVLA.

Going to be honest I've been so depressed since losing my licence, unlike me but it's hit really hard. Don't want to drive if I'm unfit to do so but eyesight is really good at moment and was at last clinic appointment, having drove for 43 years mostly accident free it's a hard pill to swallow.

Sorry for moan there but feel like others here will fully understand what it feels like. Thanks for taking time to read my posts, wishing everyone well.

[CUFCblues]

Well appointment was waste of time, wouldn't do field vision test as had one done in February and all was fine, eyesight was very good as were pressure in both eyes, Dr I seen said there was nothing they could do when I asked if they would provide some evidence that my sight was fine, he said they only ever do this if DVLA write to them.

Before refusal of my licence they never wrote to my clinic despite providing all contact information, they just went off Specsavers field test so guess I'm back to square one.

Maybe give it a couple of weeks then book FVT privately with Specsavers, been doing some eye exercises that is supposedly helpful in improving visual field, will see how it goes anyway.

[hosbay in reply to CUFCblues]

What are the exercises which improve peripheral vision?