when to inform DVLA

[destiny234]

I was diagnosed with very mild glaucoma 2 months ago in one eye. I checked online and learnt I did not have to inform DVLA. However, the letter sent out to me following this visit did not arrived , had it done so I would have realised Ihe had changed his prognosisi to two eyes. So when i went for my next appointment last week , the ophthalmologist confirmed it was in both eyes. I went away feeling rather deflated.

Please can someone advise me on this. I am panicking now as I should have told them 2 months ago but I didn`t know.

Do I fill in the form online on the DVLA website right now ?

Do they then send me an appointment at specsavers and any idea how long this takes?

I am going to phone my insurance company too, but do I wait for the outcome of the specsaver test?

Sorry for all the questions. I hope someone can help.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello,

Firstly dont worry about not telling the DVLA . You were under the impression at the time that it was only diagnosed in one eye.

You can either fill in the V1 form online or call them and they will pop the form in the post for you. Once they have received the completed info, you will receive a letter with a reference number to make an appointment at a Specsavers to do the visual field test and acuity test. You can carry on driving during this time and while waiting for the results, unless the consultant has told you otherwise.

You should also contact you car insurance and tell them of your diagnosis. Some like to be kept up to date while other are not bothered., as long as the DVLA are aware. Your'e premium will not go up.

[destiny234 in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Trish, thank you so much for putting my mind at rest. I will fill in the V1 now.

Thanks again x

[Cocomolyneux]

hello

I had the same experience. It is a shock to be told both eyes are affected.

I filled in the form online and received a response very quickly in the form of a letter which gave details of the Specsavers who could do the test.

The test was straightforward. It took a few weeks before I heard from the DVLA after the test. I was delighted that my licence was unrestricted.

It is a worrying time but don’t be concerned about the very slight delay in informing them.

Good luck with the test.

[Sorshup]

I may be behind the times, but I think the key question on the V1 form may be "do you have visual field defects affecting both eys, or your binocular vision?" or something similar, and only you and your consultant can rule on that. Being diagnosed with glaucoma is does not itself trigger a need for a DVLA driver visual field test. But I think I would need Trish to agree or correct me on this.

[Dumyat26 in reply to Sorshup]

I think you are wrong there but as you say Trish can confirm. My understanding and experience is that if both eyes affected DVLA must be informed. I have 30% loss FOV in left eye and 10% in right. Insurance not affected.

[Billericaymickey]

Relax on all counts. You can give the DVLA the date of your appointment last week as the date you first became aware that you had glaucoma in both eyes because that is truthful. The Specsavers visual fields test is done with glasses on (assuming you wear them) and with both eyes open so if you have mild glaucoma it shouldn’t be a problem. The process from start to finish with me was 3/4 weeks from Specsavers test to letter from DVLA requesting my licence (it was replaced with a medical licence valid for 3 years when I get tested again - my vision loss in one eye is about 85%). Others on here may have received better or worse service I guess. Lastly my motor insurers weren’t bothered so long as I had a valid driving licence. Hope this helps.

[Dumyat26]

I was diagnosed with G in both eyes more than 10 years ago. No one told me that this was notifiable so was driving for few years before I was told. Notified DVLA and insurance then. No problem was simply put on a DVLA eye test 3 yearly. At one stage due to an eye problem I was put on an annual test but this is now reverted back to 3 yearly. (age 80).

[destiny234]

I have had a reply from my consultant which I didn’t expect as they’re so busy , but here it is ……

“Had said in my diagnosis list 27/6/24 that she had secondary glaucoma in the left eye and pre-perimetric secondary glaucoma in the right.

She doesn't need to speak to the DVLA as long as the right VF remains full.

We'll be monitoring her VFs and I'll let her know if it becomes necessary to notify the DVLA.”

As you can imagine I am over the moon! I see him in 6 months so hope field of vision still ok if he does one then

Thanks everybody for replying to my post xx

[Martyn321]

I got diagnosed with both eyes at the beginning on the year, and have had a combination of laser and lens replacement.

I’ve repeatedly asked my Dr when should I be contacting the DVLA and there advice was that I don’t need to. My eye sight is well within legal limits which made sense.

Whilst I have Glaucoma the opinion I got was that everything that they do is to preserve my sight long term so until there was a deterioration there was no requirement to contact the DVLA.

I must admit I was surprised but reading this perhaps it seems my Dr had a different view on things

[Martyn321]

sorry missed the last reply. Looks like common sense prevailed!