glaucoma DVLA

[Wiffen123]

I was informed by an eye specialist i had glaucoma in both eyes ,I informed the DVLA who instructed me to have a field test.Over the passed year i have an failed twice(false positives) on single eye machines , I was then instructed to have a test on a twin eye machine which i passed with no problem I now have my driving licence. Just saying , there is hope for those who fail the single eye field test machines .

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Thank you for sharing this positive post and glad to read you obtained your driving licence.

Just for clarification for fellow forum members, you mention single eye and double eye tests. Do you mean your first two tests were done on a Visual Field Machine (VFT) as Specsavers one eye at a time?

If this was for the DVLA, then the test was done incorrectly. The only time a mono VFT is done would be at the eye clinic or a regular eye health check at the opticians. The DVLA one is always done with both eyes open.

[Ellajane20 in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

I struggle with the Visual Field Test at Specsavers since I am unable to balance my forehead on the single point in the middle of the headrest. Should there not be a single headrest for doing both eyes at once on the DVLA test.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner in reply to Ellajane20]

Hello. All chin rests can be adjusted, so that you do not rest it on the raised part. If this is not being done, ask them to slide it across.

[Wiffen123 in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Yes,my first two tests, requested by the DVLA were done one eye at a time.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner in reply to Wiffen123]

This should not have happened. Making the Specsavers branch aware of this or even informing the DVLA of your experience would hopefully ensure that this does not happen for any future DVLA tests.

[Charliesaid]

I'm a Hospital Ophthalmic Technician and regularly carry out visual field assessments. When having an Esterman vf for the DVLA, it is ALWAYS done with both eyes simultaneously. The chin rest should be adjusted so that your chin isn't resting on the lumpy part.

Also I have done Esterman assessments for patients both with and without glasses, as occasionally, the glasses frame can cause an obstruction and therefore The test is done a second time without glasses. I print off BOTH test results for the patient to submit to the DVLA.

I've had a few patients tell me about their experiences with various opticians, but I am unable to comment as they may use different equipment and I don't know what training the staff have had.