My son post TBI went private and was issued peli prism lens glasses at York VisonCare. Last week we had his second visit to Spessavers . Quick update. See results below from Jan (no peli lens) to April current situation) for Esterman field vision DVLA private tests
10th Jan NHS (no peli lens) many missed dots in left peripheral & 4 cluster within 20 degrees central (some on 10 degree line!) 6 Mar & 11 April SPECSAVERS with Peli lens
10TH JAN 6TH MAR 11TH APRIL
<20 = 4 missed <20 = 0 <20 = 0
<30 = 7 missed <30 = 3 <30 = 0
<40 = 5 missed <40 = 4 <40 = 3
Specsavers have said with this improvement (it will more than likely stay the same from now on he thinks but you never know .....) my son can appeal at 12 months to DVLA as Exceptional Case as still some missed dots in <50 degree area, and see what their medical panel says, more than likely can be referred for driving assessment - so fingers crossed? His adaptation has been truly amazing
Any advice/feedback welcome
Attached April results
Written by
lyneh
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You know what if i was ever in a car accident i would want to know if there was ny problem with someones vision. I have a slight peripheral vision problem and i would never get behind the wheel of a car.
Thanks for your response. He cycles daily on the road and feels very safe to do so especially with backing of his Neurologist, GP and Ophthalmologist. He has 20/20 vision with or without the glasses and it is ONLY when he fixates for a time that the blind spot showed up on an Estermann test. It came as a real surprise as there was no sign of field loss in his day to day life until the field test was carried out due to where the TBI was situated in the occipital lobe. He still forgets there is a blind spot as his eye to brain function has adapted miraculously well (neuroplasticity at its best!) and this is confirmed by his recent electro- diagnostic tests at the hospital last week and it continues to improve.
As an over protective mother i would NEVER allow my son to put himself or others at risk especially as his TBI was caused in a terrible car accident caused by another party that caused life threatening injuries: 30 minutes from death, 6hrs brain surgery, a broken neck and punctured lung - we follow all medical guidance at all times
Im sorry just had to say. Im glad your son can get back to more like his old life.
It was me who insisted i had a peripheral vision loss, my neurologist and all the subsequent tests i had did not show it, presumably because of the neuroplasticity.
It was a vision therapist that confirmed my problems but said i was compensating fine.
But i am reminded of it daily when i fail to see an item innthe friidge or cupboardsveven though i know it is there.
I would hate to be driving and fail to see some one or other vehicle or cyclist on the road.
We have been Go-Karting and off-roading and I watch him like a hawk. If i was in any doubt i would put the brakes on (pardon the pun), my neighbor is a driving instructor and he takes him out in his car (on the private land behind us with permission from the farmer). We've discussed purchasing a left hand drive car as if he ever does 'daydream' (god forbid!) whilst driving his blind spot is the same as everyone else, the A Pillar to the left of the windscreen.
I think what doesn't help is my son feels the pressure to drive again too as he is a trainee management accountant and has to travel from Wakefield to Leicester weekly and it affecting his job role at the moment and may affect his future prospects to be employed after his training degree is completed. But also his social life too, he feels a burden waiting around for lifts from family and friends.
We have agreed though that when he does (optimism) get his license back he has a black box fitted, he had one before and it was great for me as a parent to know as it limits their speed, driving etc.
It's just nice to keep moving forward although it happens to be moving forward on a rollercoaster!
Hi there, he forgets because he sees perfectly well with 20/20 vision, it was only picked up on the field vision test, he wasn't aware before this, due to some amazing Neuroplasticity and how his miraculous young brain quickly recovered and 're-mapped'. He has astounded the Neuro and Ophthalmology with his recovery. In the real world not the Esterman space helmet, when he stares for over 5 seconds+ the blind spot is a slight blur but he sees movement through it, e.g if a person there their jumper is a bit blurry but can see the movement. The Esterman test which is the only DVLA vision test recommended doesn't allow for this, it is small flashing dots on a white background, even his Ophthalmologist says developments are underway with new assessments in the pipeline and the current tests are old school and the 'real world' needs to be introduced. Simulators and driving assessments are a must
Hiya, I suspect the ophthalmologist was trying to appease you and your eager son (no offence meant.) Your son may have 20/20 vision but he also has proven loss of peripheral vision and that is a fact he needs to accept and work around.
We've been referred to a different 'Teaching' Hospital (specialty in Neurology & has a great eye clinic, so another Ophthalmologist's view, so keep you posted how that goes, could be months for appointment)
ok, I'd be interested to hear how it turns out. We do have to be positive in this brain game. You can pm me if you wish, no offence taken if you don't!
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