Double Vision

[YoungontheOutside]

This isn’t strictly glaucoma related, but I often see people post about DVLA. I have developed double vision and although the optometrist didn’t say so directly, it seems that the type of double vision I have could have been as a result of having a trab. Anyway, I have been given a prism for my glasses and my vision has much improved as a result. However, I have been told that I must report this to DVLA. It seems a little clear as to whether they would tell me to stop driving immediately or whether they would allow me to continue driving as I am receiving treatment. Does anyone have similar experience of this?

[Peg99]

Hello

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the NHS website says that if you have double vision you must stop driving and report to DVLA. In view of this, you would probably invalidate your insurance if you continued to drive.

A prism is a means by which you may be allowed to continue driving. The link below is to the Moorfields site about doucle vision and driving which if you haven't seen it you may find useful and hopeful.

moorfields.nhs.uk/mediaLoca...

Sorry I can't be of any practical help and good luck.

Best Wishes,

Peg

[Sorshup]

To oversimplify, but keeping it relevant, double vision (diplopia) comes in two forms. Concomitant, meaning the degree of separaation of the images of the two eyes remains the same wherever you look, and incomitant - the separation varies with direction of gaze. People may have have the former from birth and may find that prismatic corection in specs resolves it. I don't believe that If your prism completely corrects the diplopia wherever you look that you need to report it. But with incomitance it is impossible to maintain single binocular vision when driving because you must glance around, mirror etc. and that means you ought not to drive . Informing the DVLA at this stage may be premature; if the problem resolves in a few weeks, and they have withdrawn your licence it may take ages to get it back !

[YoungontheOutside in reply to Sorshup]

Thanks, yes that’s what I was concerned about, especially as I have to do an extended school run of 6 miles each way. Not that that would justify driving dangerously of course. However, the fresnel lens is working very well and I am not experiencing any symptoms of double vision whilst driving.

[Sorshup]

Good, only requiring a stick-on Fresnel, and no diplopia anywhere you look. No more a danger than anyone else needing specs. But the Fresnel does blur things, especially at night, and your distance judgement may be affected. I suppose you could telephone your insurers and tell them you have had to have specs to AVOID your having double vision when driving (not that you HAVE double vision!). It should be no different a risk in their book than being a new wearer of specs for adequate visual standard. Thinking of which, that is a declaration on a licence renewal, so if you have not indicated a need to wear specs at your last renewal perhaps you should inform DVLA that this is now the case. (Yes, I know the question is " do you require specs to read a number plate.... which is different) but I am just thinking this through (without prejudice) to ensure you are not tripped up. Start with the insurers, and perhaps ask their opinion about DVLA but you may not be speaking to an adequately informed person !