Contact lenses and DVLA field vision test

[HedgeHogHome]

Hello,

I have lost some vision due to ischemic optic neuropathy and have informed the DVLA. My optician recommends wearing my contact lenses for the Field vision test. They are varifocal so I am wondering whether I should stick with them or order single vision lenses so I don't get blurring in the reading bit if that makes sense? Any ideas /advice?

Thank you in anticipation

[Shinal_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

Good afternoon, I am sorry to hear you have lost some vision from ischemic optic neuropathy. It may be worth getting some single vision contact lenses for just distance for the visual fields test, especially if the varifocal contact lenses are causing blurred vision. You could also wear your spectacles if this feels comfortable. Kind regards

[HedgeHogHome in reply to Shinal_GlaucomaUK]

Thank you so much for your prompt response. This has been very helpful.I did think that I may have a better chance without varifocals.I can but try!!

[Sorshup in reply to HedgeHogHome]

The optometrist speaks (again). This is a continuously raised subject to which I have responded before. If you can search back a couple of months I gave some general advice on a dedicated post.

The instruction to wear driving specs or C/Ls for a test conducted at a close distance has always been a mystery. You are out of focus, and theoretically could miss detecting lights! Done in a hospital clinic an appropriate near correction is used. But you are allowed up to three attempts of the DVLA field test so request (you should not be denied) that a second attempt be made with a near correction. Also, if you have multifocal C/Ls they do reduce contrast acuity and may well cause you perform less well irrespective of the focussing aspect. Contact tSpecsavers and ask if there is a facility for them to fit lenses from a trial case on the machine so if you take your specs or C/L prescription the simple arithmatic can be done to enable a near correction to be used. if not, safest to buy reading specs - which will give you uch better relaxed reading in future anyway! Check what I have suggested with your optician, and also ask whether it is only one eye that is affected because if there is no field defect in the other you are likely to pass the test, even wearing your lenses !

[Jazzers]

Hi - Sorshup has explained this much better than I can, but I can only add that in my experience (yearly DVLA tests for last 7 years) I have always had 3 tests and been able to mix between driving glasses (in my case varifocals) and no glasses at all. For my last test, I requested to be able to do the test with 1) My varifocals 2) No glasses at all and the 3) wearing reading glasses that I had prescribed specifically to do the test. The Specsavers technician was absolutely fine with that .

I can only echo Sorshup's advice and avoid feeling forced to wear your contact lenses for the whole test when you feel that they may be inappropriate. The dots you are looking at during the test are approx 300mm from your eye, I believe, hence the possible benefit of short distance lenses or even no glasses if short vision is pretty good.

Very best wishes for the test.

[HedgeHogHome in reply to Jazzers]

Thank you for responding to me . It is a minefield trying to work out what is best.I have been avidly reading the responses on the site about the DVLA FV but but some how managed to miss Sorshup's excellent tips . I feel absolutely fine driving and the technician at the hospital said I 'performed well and should probably be ok for the DVLA 'as did my consultant. I am very anxious though as I am very short sighted, -6 ,-7 so can't not wear glasses or contact lenses. Reading glasses are definately an option ( I have them to use with contact lenses), My vari focal glasses may be a problem .I did lose a tiny bit of vision in the other eye 30 yearsago through optic neuritis but it has remained stable, infact slightly improved. All very confusing. If only a driving instructor could sit along side you as you drive to check your safety to drive!!

I am off to spec savers now to check it out. When I telephoned 2 weeks ago prior to my DVLA letter, I was informed they didn't offer the DVLA FV and 'no' ,she didn't know which branch did!!

Thank you very much again to you all for responding to me.I have learnt alot from you.

[Sorshup]

Thank you for expanding on your situation. As a -7 myope you really will optimise your performance at the test with some reading specs. Discuss with your optometrist, but a 2.50 reduction in your distance correction will be good enough and enable you to increase your enjoyment of The Racing News, The Financial Times or just your social media posts on your ''phone !

Just finished watching the GUK Support Group on Zoom; Heartening personal story and useful Q&A - thank you !

[FoxyHome in reply to Sorshup]

I am so grateful to you for taking the time to give me this advice.You have made me much more confident that I am doing my utmost to 'pass' the test.I am a much happier woman now even if I cannot drive ever again . I can absorb myself in reading the financial times or, indeed, not reading any news !!

[HedgeHogHome in reply to Sorshup]

Hello,

I have just come back from SpecSavers to make an appointment and check it out. I spoke to the friendly FV technican who told me the following;-

They don't have a facility to enable a near correction to be used

I cannot use my reading glasses with my varifocal contact lenses to optimise my performance

The lights/dots are of varying intensity not constant bright ones

I feel very deflated now as people on this site have so many varying experiences and are subject to different SpecSavwers interpretation of the conduct of FV test

Is she correct?

I shall have to watch Jimmy Kimmel's prank on Aunt Chippy again for a few belly laughs although it was mean!!

[Sorshup]

Oh deary, deary me! Let's take this one by one.

I assume she meant they could not simulate your near correction using trial lenses, as I suggested they might. Fair enough.

You use readers over your multifocal lenses? Understandable, demonstrates hoe poor multifocal C/Ls can be ! At the risk of annoying your optometrist by saying I am suggersting this, ask to try monovision (one lens distance, the other near - but you may have already done so and rejected, I know) which usually works much better. But was she denying you the use of a reading correction for the test? Others who have replied support my statement that this is permitted. You could use specs over your C/S but the degraded contrast acuity would affect your performance. You will do best to get some reading specs, to your prescription ,as I have suggested .

And NO, the lights are equally bright ! But you may not think so because of some retinal insensitivity because of your condition. Rather like being hard of hearing and accusing people of whispering !

But particularly over the acceptability of the reading specs, get the branch to check with head office if they are saying "no". before you go.

One last point. If you usually wear C/Ls driving, go wearing because they need to check your distance vision, and for the first field test before using your readers, so you will need to take all your C/L care stuff with you.

I think I need to be amused now, too ! But good luck !