Our local supermarket optician has a new machine for the visual field test, So even before the sight test, a pressure test, an eye scan with photo and then the visual field test.
Success.. Sort of .. Hubby gave up and refused to continue after 6th attempt. The machine registers the slightest head movement or eye deviation. Hubby trying this with chin pressed hard on bottom rest and forehead pressed hard against the top rest.
That does not reflect how he drives. None of us stares straight ahead not moving the head. Driving doesn't work like that.
Manager explained it is a new machine supposedly quicker (for them)
But after all that minor adjustment to prescription and clear to go.
"come back and try again next time you are here, No need for an appointment."
Sister also complained the week before.
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It’s to test peripheral vision fo blind spots. Possible causes , glaucoma, diabetes, blood pressure and more. Nothing to do with how you drive.
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>> It’s to test peripheral vision fo blind spots. Possible causes , glaucoma, diabetes, blood pressure
>> and more. Nothing to do with how you drive.
>>
I know what it is for.. But do you drive with your head fixed in place?
Nobody I know does. that's why eyes swivel and heads move.
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I saw a set of photos simulating what people with defective peripheral vision see. Once it gets extreme there is no way you could move your head enough to drive safely. It’s scary to think that some people with serious defective vision continue to drive.
One problem is that most of us believe what we see as normal and it’s easy to dismiss some of these eye measurements as unnecessary.
Personally I was amazed at the brightness of colours when I got my cataracts done. At one stage I had one eye operated on, while the other was in a pre-op state. The contrast was striking between the two eyes. Yet prior to the op I thought my vision with glasses or lenses was fine and normal.
Back to the peripheral test my results have always been OK.
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>> Personally I was amazed at the brightness of colours when I got my cataracts done.
>> At one stage I had one eye operated on, while the other was in a
>> pre-op state. The contrast was striking between the two eyes.
Yeah I was amazed at how many stars were visible when I had mine done. In one eye done state, it was clear my old vision was like a sepia photo. Its made night driving possible again, I was starting to struggle
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You need peripheral vision to detect a stuff when you are looking straight ahead. Like a child suddenly running out. If your peripheral vision goes unfortunately you become unsafe to drive.
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<< I know what it is for.. But do you drive with your head fixed in place?
Your head is not 'fixed in place' partly because your eye has spotted something in the peripheral area, not because you consciously turn your head looking for things !
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Firstly its not new, I have had that at my eye tests for the last 10 years, ok it was extra cost. But you do want early diagnosis of medical issues that can effect your eyesight in later years, so mitigation in the form of treatmentthat can preserve it longer dont you? I know I do.
And its going to be a requirement for renewing your license past the age of 70
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>> Firstly its not new, ...it's going to be a requirement for renewing your license past the age of 70 >>
And about time too, for anyone applying for a driving licence. We lived in Canada (Alberta) from 1963-66 and got our provincial licences in 64. Part of the test was for peripheral vision. That was 60 years ago and the UK hasn't caught up yet.
Last edited by: Andrew-T on Thu 26 Feb 26 at 23:21
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The current UK driving eyesight standard has barely changed since since ~1935 when it was introduced. Truly dark ages stuff given the progress made in optical science.
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Yes it’s high time for a change in the regulations. Far too many drivers with poor eyesight. There needs to be a change in mindset particularly of older drivers that the safety of others comes before their personal convenience.
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>> And its going to be a requirement for renewing your license past the age of
>> 70
>>
You haven't got a license.
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>> >> And its going to be a requirement for renewing your license past the age
>> of
>> >> 70
>> >>
Personally I have known with my my wet macular degeneration that it would come one day.
As staed in the HJ forum My brilliant consultant and very nice optician are both aware of my wishes on this subject.
If they have concerns about my vision for driving they should not be afraid of telling me and I have insisted that they should inform DVLA.
No if. No ands and definitely no buts.
I do not wish to be up in court potentially on a manslaughter charge or being uninsured in case of an accident, at fault or not if I should not be driving.
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Surely it's easy enough for one to recognise oneself that one are having issues seeing things, and judge whether it is likely to affect your driving, rather than relying on someone else's opinion? After all, they can't see what you can see.
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>> Surely it's easy enough for one to recognise oneself that one are having issues seeing
>> things, and judge whether it is likely to affect your driving, rather than relying on
>> someone else's opinion? After all, they can't see what you can see.
The issue I think is that the brain 'paints in' the missing bits. What somebody with degraded peripheral vision believes they see isn't the same as the replicated images of 'tunnel vision' look when printed.
The contact lens technician at Boots was explaining to me that adapation to using varifocal contacts to read is partly a matter of brain training.
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>> Surely it's easy enough for one to recognise oneself that one are having issues seeing
>> things, and judge whether it is likely to affect your driving,
Alas not, its insiduous, and creeps up on you, all seems normal.
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Hearing is much the same. Most people over the age of 60 have significant hearing loss but few
go to an audiologist.
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i’m off to SpecSavers next week to get my hearing tested.
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>> i’m off to SpecSavers next week to get my hearing tested.
Hope you can find the way.
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>> Hearing is much the same. Most people over the age of 60 have significant hearing
>> loss but few
>> go to an audiologist.
>>
>>
Pardon?
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New fangled visual field machine - CGNorwich
