Mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70 being proposed by HMG. Good or bad?

[Dustydog]

Whilst I don’t need specs bar a very weak reading pair I still have the usual eye sight tests every two years.
Not only do they check vision but lots of other things eg health behind the eye, retina , glaucoma etc .
Mandatory or not I will still get tested.

What do you think about it becoming mandatory with the possibility of losing your driving licence?

 

[otherclive]

Whilst I don’t need specs bar a very weak reading pair I still have the usual eye sight tests every two years.
Not only do they check vision but lots of other things eg health behind the eye, retina , glaucoma etc .
Mandatory or not I will still get tested.

What do you think about it becoming mandatory with the possibility of losing your driving licence?

A no brainer. I have an eye test annually as does my wife and family. I’ve been having eye test annually since I first started to wear glasses in 1974. My wife and I pay the extra for the OCT scan which this year found a very small area of MD but nothing significant. Nevertheless the optician said it would be useful to wear photochromic lenses as I spend quite a time out of doors. So I’ve done just that.

The actual level for legal driving is still quite forgiving, but if it got to the stage where eyesight led to loss of licence, you just have to accept it. Is there any other decision, no different to stroke or heart issues is it? Better than a spell in clink for causing death.
This link is from a post of mine 2021 recounting how a friend was diagnosed with glaucoma through not taking eye tests. But despite his poor vision he could read the letters on the chart so carried on driving but not at night. But it caught up with him eventually 2-3 years later.

Threat to the Oldies

Just read this in the Mail on line. A possible restriction on the over 70 year olds, to their driving. https://mol.im/a/9411221

forums.practicalcaravan.com

I would also support a reduction in drink driving level to align with Scotland.

 

[birdman101]

I have Eyes tests and Scans at Hospital every 6 months to check that I do not have an Eye complaint start, that I could have inherited from my Mother. Before every appointment I am asked if I Drive. So far passed. This is more thorough than anything Parliament will come up with, as 3 years is a long time between checks.
I think driving on Drugs is a far bigger problem that needs sorting,such as mandatory fitting detection sensors in cars to prevent them being driven

 

[RogerL]

I think it's an excellent move - but we need to keep the pressure on HMG to introduce 2-yearly sight testing for all drivers - and then pressure them to improve the standard as you can be nearly blind and still pass the present test!

 

[otherclive]

I have Eyes tests and Scans at Hospital every 6 months to check that I do not have an Eye complaint start, that I could have inherited from my Mother. Before every appointment I am asked if I Drive. So far passed. This is more thorough than anything Parliament will come up with, as 3 years is a long time between checks.
I think driving on Drugs is a far bigger problem that needs sorting,such as mandatory fitting detection sensors in cars to prevent them being driven

Not that many over 70s do drugs, apart from those prescribed, so eyesight and drink are areas that should be tightened up, but three yearly periodicity is in consistent with the normal recommended frequency of eye tests. I suppose three yearly is an administrative nicety to line up with licence renewal. Better than nothing.

 

[Andy Norfolk]

Long overdue, should be more frequent and the age requirement lowered to 60. At 60 it's free so there should be no objection IMO.

 

[birdman101]

Not that many over 70s do drugs, apart from those prescribed, so eyesight and drink are areas that should be tightened up, but three yearly periodicity is in consistent with the normal recommended frequency of eye tests. I suppose three yearly is an administrative nicety to line up with licence renewal. Better than nothing.

I am not talking of over 70’s on Drugs, but I bet there are far more younger people driving at this moment on drugs than over 70’s with impaired sight.

 

[otherclive]

I am not talking of over 70’s on Drugs, but I bet there are far more younger people driving at this moment on drugs than over 70’s with impaired sight.

The law on drugs or drink is quite clear whereas the law in eyesight is effectively self certification by the individual. Wrt drugs and drink the only realistic enforcement is roadside testing and the police should be given the resources and rights for random testing.

 

[Oscarmax]

I am a type 2 diabetic I have the annual eye screening now chance to 2 years, and a eye test at Specsaver every year, for several years my eye sight has just been under the requirement for driving glasses, however I took the offer up for driving glasses, what a difference, I have 3 set of driving glasses, clear with anti glare, variable tint and full sunglasses. Better to be safe than sorry

 

[Dustydog]

My take is simple. Once past 70 take every medical test offered.
The latest comprehensive eye examinations are a lot more than an eye test.

I’m a firm believer in a stitch in time saves nine

I suspect a lot of people have no idea exactly what these eye examinations involve

This link explains it all.

 

[Hutch]

When this was spoken about last year, in the summer, it was only Specsavers that would have the contract to certify that the individuals vision was satisfactory to drive.
When I had my retina reattached twice at the beginning of last year, I asked the surgeons if my driving would be restricted, whilst the surgery was being done, they said No , as the sight from my other eye was satisfactory.

 

[RogerL]

When this was spoken about last year, in the summer, it was only Specsavers that would have the contract to certify that the individuals vision was satisfactory to drive.
When I had my retina reattached twice at the beginning of last year, I asked the surgeons if my driving would be restricted, whilst the surgery was being done, they said No , as the sight from my other eye was satisfactory.

To drive cars, ie licence group B, the requirement is to meet the prescribed test in only one eye but for group C and vocational groups the standard has to be met by both eyes albeit with an even lower standard for the "second" eye.

 

[otherclive]

When this was spoken about last year, in the summer, it was only Specsavers that would have the contract to certify that the individuals vision was satisfactory to drive.
When I had my retina reattached twice at the beginning of last year, I asked the surgeons if my driving would be restricted, whilst the surgery was being done, they said No , as the sight from my other eye was satisfactory.

That seems to be anti competitive and could also affect older drivers who live in areas where there is no Specsavers. It also gives Specsavers easy access then to lucrative sales too. Surely other opticians should be authorised to certify if required.

 

[Buckman]

That seems to be anti competitive and could also affect older drivers who live in areas where there is no Specsavers. It also gives Specsavers easy access then to lucrative sales too. Surely other opticians should be authorised to certify if required.

Agreed as we avoid Specsavers and other chains like the plague! We have always used independent opticians.

 

[Dustydog]

Specsavers still are the sole approved Opticians for the DVLA. The DVLA will use Specsavers for cases where they have told a driver to take a compulsory eye test.

All other qualified Opticians / ophthalmologists are authorised to test peoples eyes to at least the minimum DVLA level. They do of course as we know go way beyond that.

 

[otherclive]

Specsavers still are the sole approved Opticians for the DVLA. The DVLA will use Specsavers for cases where they have told a driver to take a compulsory eye test.

All other qualified Opticians / ophthalmologists are authorised to test peoples eyes to at least the minimum DVLA level. They do of course as we know go way beyond that.

That’s good as we use Boots as our occasional use of Specsavers has required two sets of glasses to have replacement lenses. Last time was Boots for the eye tests and Lensology to fit the new transition lenses to an existing set of frames. Worked very well as most opticians these days don’t reglaze or charge as much as for a new set of frames and lenses.

 

[Buckman]

When we first came to the UK way back in 1993, we went to Specsavers and bought specs from them. At the time I thought they were cheaper than other independents. A couple of months later I went back to them as I was having issues with focus when reading. Except for one, all seemed to be new opticians and very young. Told that I will get used to it.

I decided that I would go to an independent who did all the tests. It turned out that the lens were wrong for my eyes. Paid for new lenses and no more issues. At that point I only needed reading glasses, but I was still out of pocket however no more headaches.

 

[noggin16460]

Unfortunately in this day and age only those who have something to hide would be against the proposal, as a PCV driver I have this every 5 years and now at 65 years old expecting to have an eye test more often, if I fail on eye site test, I could lose my job, I get some glasses and hopefully carry on doing a job I love.

Nothing to hide nothing to worry about

 

[RogerL]

It's best to separate eye testing from spectacle sales - the big chains, including supermarkets, are better able to provide expensive scanning equipment than independent opticians - all opticians use third party factories to make spectacles so no benefit in choice of optician to supply them.

 

[Buckman]

It's best to separate eye testing from spectacle sales - the big chains, including supermarkets, are better able to provide expensive scanning equipment than independent opticians - all opticians use third party factories to make spectacles so no benefit in choice of optician to supply them.

I always thought that your eyes need to be tested to be able to buy the spectacles with the correct lens fitted? I probably would have great difficult wearing a monocle. LOL!

Just to add, all the independents we have used in the past have up to date scanning equipment. All opticians seem to offer a wide choice of spectacles as there are many different brands. Not sure about the manufacture of lens for the spectacles?

 

[RogerL]

I always thought that your eyes need to be tested to be able to buy the spectacles with the correct lens fitted? I probably would have great difficult wearing a monocle. LOL!

Just to add, all the independents we have used in the past have up to date scanning equipment. All opticians seem to offer a wide choice of spectacles as there are many different brands. Not sure about the manufacture of lens for the spectacles?

Of course eyes need testing before spectacles can be ordered - all opticians are obliged to give you the results, ie vision prescription, after the test which you can then take anywhere to get spectacles made - or even order online!

 

[birdman101]

The advantage using Specsavers is if you are away in Caravan and you have a problem with Glasses any local Specsaver will fix them. Several times over the years we have done this,on one occasion a lens came out and they refitted and tighten screws with no questions.Another time a nose pad came off and was lost.

 

[RogerL]

The advantage using Specsavers is if you are away in Caravan and you have a problem with Glasses any local Specsaver will fix them. Several times over the years we have done this,on one occasion a lens came out and they refitted and tighten screws with no questions.Another time a nose pad came off and was lost.

Any optician will do that, regardless of whether you're their customer or not - it's a long-standing feature of the industry - we've used local independent opticians a couple of times to fix our spectacles when they've "broken" on holiday

 

[Mel]

So you go to Specsavers; they certify that your eyesight is DVLA acceptable when corrected by glasses. They issue you with a prescription and then it is up to the individual to purchase the spectacles and wear them.
Hmmm. Anyone else think there may be a small problem here?
Mel

 

[otherclive]

Of course eyes need testing before spectacles can be ordered - all opticians are obliged to give you the results, ie vision prescription, after the test which you can then take anywhere to get spectacles made - or even order online!

I’ve found opticians reluctant to give pupil distance measurements but if you have a up to date set of glasses another optician can measure PD from them. That’s what I did when I ordered new lenses to be fitted to present frames by online supplier Lensology. I used to do the same using a local ophthalmic company to do reglazing.