DVLA Esterman Test - trial test?

[Blindbatuk]

Hi

I am awful at hospital visual field tests.. I get anxious, my eyes dry up, I worry if I blink I’ll miss a light, I’m hesitant to click on lower light blips (I’m overly cautious.. don’t know why!). I fret I didn’t press the buzzer when I should have (I.e. was that a dim light or not?) then miss the next one and so on!

My visual acuity is excellent.

I’ve read many posts on here about the Esterman test being different.. both eyes, brighter light blips only, wider vision and so on. My question is, can you pay to take practise tests to prepare oneself for the real test? Either at Specsavers or other opticians? Are all machines equal?

Thanks

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello. Yes you can book to have a "test run". As the DVLA test will be at Specsavers, it would make sense to book one at the branch you will be doing the test for the DVLA, so that you get to know how the VFT machine works. The lights are constant and do not differ. You can blink. So many people feel they will miss a light if they do but you won't. If you suffer from dry eyes, use your dry eye drops 20-30 minutes before the test, so your eyes will be hydrated and lubricated.

Specsavers tend to use either Humphrey/Zeiss, which tend to be the ones used at the eye clinic. The other would be the Henson which is slightly different.

If, at your test run appointment you find the VFT machine is different to what you are used too, ask them to explain exactly how it works. The chin rest can be moved on any make of VFT machine so that your chin is not resting on the raised section. If this is not offered. Ask them to adjust it for you.

[Blindbatuk in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thank you Trish.

[Sorshup in reply to Blindbatuk]

Trish's advice is good. You will need to confirm this at your test, but you can pause the test if you need a rest by keeping your finger on the button, then release to proceed. Blinking does more that wipe your eyes, there is retinal revitalisation too, so you are less likely to miss a spot by keeping your blink rate up. And keep breathing properly - it is tempting to hold your breath, which is actually unhelpful.

[Crunchielady in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

I am finding it impossible to be able to book a test appointment anywhere Specsavers don't want to know. Anyone found a private optician who can do it near reading or within 50 miles

[MollyMangle in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Hi Trish I have just informed the dvla that I have glaucoma in both eyes and am absolutely panicking about the Esterman test as the results could decimate my life after 58 years of driving and am inclined to pay and have a test run but when I enquired if they would discuss/advise on the results of the test run they said no which I find pretty bad as you are actually paying and they are not being submitted to the dvla, what was your experience and which machine did you use, any advise you can give me would be gratefully received.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner in reply to MollyMangle]

Hello Molly.

I am an advisor so I can only give information & advise to forum members.

People take the test run so that they know the type of machine they will be using and dont feel as concerned as they know what to expect. Technicians cannot advise or comment on the test results from either the test run or the DVLA test.

DVLA will only accept test results from the appointment you have made after receiving a letter from them which contains a reference number.

[MollyMangle in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thank you I wasn’t aware of that and thank you for the information I understood that they wouldn’t comment on the dvla test but don’t understand why they cannot give an indication of the private results but it is what it is, I assume I would be entitled to a copy of the results of the test run, sorry for all the questions but I am finding the prospect of the test very stressful knowing the long term repercussions if I fail, thank you once again.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner in reply to MollyMangle]

It might be better if you call our helpline on 01233 648170 to discuss it further. We are open 9.30 - 5 Mon - Fri

[mrswaffle]

my best tip is to train yourself to synchronise blinks & clicks-it works for me!

[Tmrcflyer]

yes you can take private tests at Specsavers

[Dumyat26]

Probably each branch is different but at mine I have been allowed multiple tests, with and without glasses. Sometimes I have done 4 tests. Also the DVLA test is really only concerned with an area of vision which is "envelope" shaped. So misses or errors outwith that area don't count. Always ask at the start for printouts of your results, which you can keep and compare. Was first diagnosed 14 years ago but still get anxious going for the test. I have discovered that the way in which the test works means that it identifies "false positives" and other errors as the test flashes can go over the same area multiple times.

[Decorator123 in reply to Dumyat26]

That what they did with me one with my glasses on. And repeated it without them. Ended up with a 5 years driving license think we are all the same not blinking holding how breath like am they now

[Lucinda04 in reply to Dumyat26]

Hi Dummyat26

I am rather confused as to what the pass rate is on the visual fields test it seems rather a grey area. On my last test I missed four on one eye and five on the other, but this was taken as a fail although it was an improvement on my last test are you able to be more specific on what the results should be Thankyou.

[Blindbatuk]

Thanks all. I’ll definitely give Specsavers a call about a practice test.

A couple more questions.. does the test identify when you are blinking and discount any lights that were displayed at that point?

The envelope of vision.. is there anything online that illustrates this area of vision? I’ve read about the 20 degree central vision and I feel confident that I’ll be fine on that, it’s the wider peripheral vision that worries me and this is where I tend to stress out on the monocular hospital fields.. especially on the dim lights that are flashed out wide. I find myself thinking “was that one?”.

Thanks again!

[Jazzers in reply to Blindbatuk]

Hi this is a link to the DVLA website and a section on criteria for the Esterman test.

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

I do agree with the advice to book a test at specsavers, ideally on the machine you would do the test for real. I arranged some practice tests with my own optician recently and my hospital consultant was also kind enough to arrange some on the hospital machines as I wanted to compare how well I performed with and without glasses (both varifocal and reading). I wish you all the best for your practice sessions and DVLA test.

[Charliesaid]

I'm an Ophthalmic Technician and carry out visual field tests every day. The only advice I can give you is to relax but concentrate, if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask, the chin rest should be comfortable ie you rest your chin in the dip NOT on the bumpy bit in the middle, if you need to pause, keep the button pressed as this pauses the test until you are ready to continue. Make sure you blink and breathe as normal, because you're eyes will become tired and dry and breathing normally helps you to relax. Hope this helps

[ODTAA]

I failed my Esterman test on Zeiss machines twice, and then tried a test on a Henson machine, all these at different Specsaver branches. On the Zeiss machine, you stare at a fixed spot whilst 'clicking' on peripheral tiny light spots. I find it very stressful staring at one spot for about 5 minutes, which is the test duration. In the Henson test, you start by focussing on a central rd spot whilst 'clicking' on peripheral tiny spots, but then the red spot moves, and you have to find it again and then continue recording the peripheral spots. I found it difficult, as sometimes, the red spot moved from extreme left to extreme right positions, and similarly up and down. My performance on the Henson machine was terrible. I asked the technician if I could pause the test by holding down the button, but she said 'No'. I am taking another Zeiss test next Tuesday, and this time I shall focus not on the target spot, but 20 degrees below it, as this seems to be my (slightly) weak area. Needless to say, I have had to pay for all but one of these tests, but I feel that my vision is good - my visual acuity is excellent - and I don't have any difficulty seeing things peripherally in my normal everyday life.

[Blindbatuk in reply to ODTAA]

Thank you. All of these insights are very helpful. Also thank you Jazzers for the link.

[MollyMangle in reply to ODTAA]

Hi thank you for the information but if you don’t mind can I ask, you say you have taken the test a total of 4 times, were all these tests sent to the dvla or just the one that was free I.e. can you pay for and take additional tests until you hopefully pass it sounds a daft question but just trying to understand, i may be worrying needlessly but am paranoid now and do hope you passed on the Tuesday test

[ODTAA in reply to MollyMangle]

The first test was sent automatically by Specsavers to DVLA and failed. I then paid for a repeat test at another branch of Specsavers, but didn't bother sending it to DVLA as I didn't think it would pass. Both these tests were Esterman tests. I then took a Humphries (?) test (again paid for) at another Specsavers, and this was worse than ever, as the 'aiming' spot moved during the test, and the operator didn't warn me of that fact, so I missed some flashes whilst looking for the 'aiming' spot. The result was terrible, so again, I didn't send it to DVLA. Finally, I paid for another Esterman test at the first Specsavers branch, and I thought it was OK, but there was a cluster of four missed spots in the central 30 degree circle. This I sent to DVLA, who failed it, as they would accept three missed spots in this area, but not four. To lose my driving licence because I missed one spot in a critical place is hard to bear. I have written to DVLA about a Goldman Fixed and Mobile Perimitry test, which I learned about from another HealthUnlocked correspondent, but I have yet to receive a reply.

[MollyMangle in reply to ODTAA]

Thank you so much for replying it is very stressful isnt it, can you see the dots missed on the printout to know if you would fail

[ODTAA in reply to MollyMangle]

Yes, the missed dots are shown as black spots on the chart and therefore easily seen.

[Blindbatuk]

Another related question…

I’ve seen the mention of wearing distance glasses for the field test or even reading glasses.

Since I had RLE in both eyes a few years ago I now have a distance prescription of just -1.0 (used to be -12.0 before RLE!!) and reading glasses of approx +1.75.

Would it be wise to use my distance glasses or just not bother? If the light dots are so close to your face I would have thought that distance glasses would potentially blur them?

When I go for my practice I’ll try with and without.!