I am 70 years old and had a VFT test at Specsavers on 20/9. I was extremely anxious and found the whole process very stressful. It was so busy in there and there seemed to be at least a dozen very young people with clipboards waiting to usher yet another customer in. Unfortunately, one of these young unqualified technicians did my VFT. I was not adjusted to make it comfortable and she just stood there. I had to do the test three times and just got more nervous each time. I had to ask to have a break and water after the second one as I could barely breathe. I subsequently failed on 2/9 false positives each time although I spotted all the lights and visual acuity was fine. I have now been referred to an eye hospital for another test. Has anyone else had this and what is the test? By the way I have done the Estermann test since with a previously DVLA approved optician and passed perfectly. I seem to get so anxious and now I have to do it all somewhere else. Help!!
DVLA VFT at Specsavers failed after 3 goes bec... - Glaucoma UK
DVLA VFT at Specsavers failed after 3 goes because of 2/9?false positives
when I failed on false positives I was told to re test at Specsavers as it was ‘inconclusive’ so I am not sure why they are asking you to go to an eye hospital. In the mean time you could maybe go to a different Specsavers and pay for a test. See how you get on without the stress level? It may help you to control your stress at the next test. I have found them really unhelpful and they do not appreciate the stress we are under. It is about time they all had a dedicated member of staff for this. Good luck.
I know exactly where youre coming from. Try to find a small branch of Specsavers if possible. I travel to one especially as it's itsmall & quiet & staff sympathetic to my worries every 3 years. Last time I went he did more than one ... with & without glasses.which have frames which he said could possibly obscure some flashes. Good Luck
Thank you for your reply. Much appreciated.
Thank you so much- I know I can do it but the stress levels take over!
This happened to me. I was recalled twice, but on the third attempt my performance was fine.
I learnt several things, which may be of help:
1. Tell them you’re nervous, because some technicians don’t appear sympathetic. A helpful assistant will reassure you and that will affect your performance.
2. Check the chin rest is centralised and that you don’t do the test from the left or the right.
3. Make sure the seat is the correct height, as bending your neck can cause loss of concentration.
4. Keep blinking and deep breathing.
Trust me, it can make all the difference in the world when so much is at stake.
Thank you for your helpful hints. I did tell them how nervous I was but it didn’t make any difference. The “technician” was only a young girl and didn’t really say anything at all.
With so much at stake, there really ought to be performance standards for this service. The variations are concerning, especially because they can influence important outcomes.
I totally agree. Every Specsavers seems to be different and I feel someone more qualified should be in charge of such an important test. There is so much at stake when doing this test but there is very little concern as to how a poor result can impact someone’s future.
Hey,
I posted recently as I failed my VFs. Had issues getting my results too from them. My license has been revoked and just recently sent in my appeal.
I did more vfs in a different branch which was quieter and staff were very friendly. Made such a difference. Ask them when the quietest time of the day is and book for then.
I feel that some specsavers are terrible and they don’t seem to understand the importance of this test for us.
My firsts vfs were done in a very noisy corner of a specsavers and the person with me was ripping and scrunching paper and looking in drawers. I could hear everything. Very off putting. I was nervous anyways. Made it a whole lot more stressful.
I wasn’t asked to do a hospital test or a retest. They just said I was not able to meet the requirements.
So theres hope for you and I really hope you get on fine. Good luck and let us know what a hospital test is all about pls x
You’ve got this x
Just to add a couple of things to the already very good advice you've received from other posters.
Blink regularly ! - I find blinking after each time I click helps to lubricate my eyes. It is easy to end up staring at the light and not blinking and I think dehydrated dry eyes do not help your vision. The machine recognises when you blink and doesn't penalise you for it.
Pause - You can pause the test at any time. They should tell you this at the start. Ive never needed to do that but I was told that if you hold the button down it pauses the test. Ask about that next time you go. It might be that you need to have a breather mid-test. 4-5 mins staring at a light is stressful for anyone.
Breathe - Last thing is don't forget to breathe! Breathe deeply and steadily it really will calm your nerves. Initially I found I was holding my breathe in concentration and I think it made me more anxious.
Insist on copies of your test - I had been refused the previous timesI tested and this time I was determined to get copies. I was refused again, but I smiled and said I had the Specsavers head office number in my pocket so shall we call them? A little wait and 20 mins later I got my copies. I was so chuffed. 🙂
I too am approaching 70 and recently went through the Specsavers experience. I took the test 3 times in one session scoring 359 out of 360 lights. Unfortunately on each test I exceeeded the false positive 20% threshold probably due to nervous trigger finger! DVLC came back to me and referred me to a local eye hospital. The test was on similar looking equipment using a binocular test. However unlike the Specsavers machines which run automatically this machine was controlled by the medical staff . As a result I was told there would not be the issue of false positives. I was allowed several breaks - the test was longer and more comprehensive than the Specsavers one. The staff were very professional throughout and would not give me any clues as to how I had got on! That was 2 weeks ago and I am still nervously awaiting the outcome from DVLA! So I guess the message is the eye hospital CST experience is a big improvement on the Specsavers version but still hard to avoid the anxiety. Hope all goes well.
Thank you for your reply. That is interesting to learn that it is a similar test. I originally applied for my licence in October and the process takes such a long time and it just hangs over you. Each time the waiting is stressful too. Hope you hear soon. Phoned the hospital over 20 times so far and yet to get through! More worry.
Did you, by any chance, get to know the name of the test? Which hospital was it? I am trying to find a similar test, as I can't pass the Esterman test at Specsavers.
I haven’t managed to make an appointment yet in spite of ringing 28 times. Just cuts off after 4 mins every time!! I will ask if I ever manage to get through. It is Birmingham & Midland Eye hospital. Only got another two weeks to make an appointment. Will have to get back in touch with DVLA . Nothing is straightforward.
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