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

[Mr Grumpy]

Judging by the observation skills of a lot of drivers it should be every driver requiring eyesight tests and some means of testing their attention span!

 

[Buckman]

Today as we entered our village there was a car parked right across the road. I could see it was an elderly driver. I could have only just squeezed past the rear of the car, but I ws concerned that he may hit reverse so we waited. His OH then started getting out of the car when he pulled forward a bit and the stopped again. His OH got back into the car and he went up their drive.

My OH then remarked to me that she knows the driver in question. At some point in the past he told her that he suffers from a form of intermittent dementia. Perhaps at the time he was having a moment? Just to add our village has a bus in the morning and a bus in the afternoon. The lunch time bus is only for school children.

 

[ProfJohnL]

That is the issue. Although prescribed will the person wear the spectacles while driving? ...

That is a personal choice by the driver, it has no relationship to the issue about where the the eye test is done or the proposal of there being only one company authorised to perform the test.

 

[Buckman]

That is a personal choice by the driver, it has no relationship to the issue about where the the eye test is done or the proposal of there being only one company authorised to perform the test.

Did I mention that there is a relationship etc or have I misunderstood your post? The thread was about the proposed eye test legislation to help prevent accidents so not sue why once again you feel it necessary to point out the obvious to me.

 

[otherclive]

Here’s a 2017 paper that discusses requirements for eyesight tests and licence requirements throughout Europe including Turkey. By most standards UK is pretty lax, so perhaps it should be tightened up for other age groups as well as +70s.

https://www.ecoo.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Visual-Standards-for-Driving-in-Europe-Consensus-Paper-January-2017....pdf

 

[Buckman]

Here’s a 2017 paper that discusses requirements for eyesight tests and licence requirements throughout Europe including Turkey. By most standards UK is pretty lax, so perhaps it should be tightened up for other age groups as well as +70s.

https://www.ecoo.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Visual-Standards-for-Driving-in-Europe-Consensus-Paper-January-2017....pdf

I think that all drivers and not just those over 70 should undergo eye tests prior to getting their licence as it seems some cannot even read the mph on their speedometers! Others obviously cannot see out the rear view or side mirrors!

 

[otherclive]

Your

I think that all drivers and not just those over 70 should undergo eye tests prior to getting their licence as it seems some cannot even read the mph on their speedometers! Others obviously cannot see out the rear view or side mirrors!

The driving test covers an eyesight test, read the number plate ahead ! My friend who didn’t realise he had glaucoma and then even when diagnosed in quite an advanced condition could read the appropriate letters on the opticians chart. Yet as he drove the car was continually weaving as there was limited peripheral vision, so he had to use his central vision to provide the required width. This carried on even after regular hospital visits and medications as theoretically he still met the standard. Eventually his wife cracked the whip and forced the issue to a conclusion.

 

[Dustydog]

Your

The driving test covers an eyesight test, read the number plate ahead ! My friend who didn’t realise he had glaucoma and then even when diagnosed in quite an advanced condition could read the appropriate letters on the opticians chart. Yet as he drove the car was continually weaving as there was limited peripheral vision, so he had to use his central vision to provide the required width. This carried on even after regular hospital visits and medications as theoretically he still met the standard. Eventually his wife cracked the whip and forced the issue to a conclusion.

So he never had eye tests?

The current eye tests across the country should have picked this up a long time ago. Maybe he slipped through the net?

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/visual-field-testing

 

[otherclive]

So he never had eye tests?

The current eye tests across the country should have picked this up a long time ago. Maybe he slipped through the net?

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/visual-field-testing

I have posted on this previously; no he never had eye tests, buying specs from Woolworths et al. He only realised something was wrong when coming back from Portsmouth one night he had to keep stopping as the glare from oncoming vehicles was just too much. up until then his only sight test was reading number plates, and then self certifying. He quickly booked an eye test and quite advanced glaucoma was diagnosed. But he could still read the opticians chart at the road legal level by moving his head around. Neither optician or hospital told him to stop driving.

We had thought something was wrong for quite a while as driving along local roads he was constantly correcting the steering. I mentioned it and he reckoned it was the elderly Audi's suspension and steering wearing. Yet when he bought a brand new Fiesta the same was happening. He's virtually blind now in one eye despite a couple of procedures and when we go out for lunch he cannot see to pour the wine into the glass,, so I offer as I can see the glass, but my Essential tremor in my right arm means it doesn't necessarily go into the glass.

We are quite lax in this country, my father had annual tests, but even with cataracts in both eyes I asked him and he said he could read the opticians chart and he always wore his glasses for driving. After he had his cataracts removed in his early 90s, he told me that things were so much clearer and he had no idea how his eyesight had deteriorated. I actually sent his licence in to DVSA, which didn't amuse him, but by then at 95 his hospitalisation with cardiac issues and early vascular dementia told me it was time to call a halt.

PS I keep am Amsler Grid on top of my printer. Came with this booklet.

 

[Dustydog]

My friend who didn’t realise he had glaucoma and then even when diagnosed in quite an advanced condition could read the appropriate letters on the opticians chart.

So he was diagnosed? Not that it matters but that’s why I asked 😉. Sounds like his optician failed him?

 

[RogerL]

Here’s a 2017 paper that discusses requirements for eyesight tests and licence requirements throughout Europe including Turkey. By most standards UK is pretty lax, so perhaps it should be tightened up for other age groups as well as +70s.

https://www.ecoo.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Visual-Standards-for-Driving-in-Europe-Consensus-Paper-January-2017....pdf

I certainly agree with that - my wife has impaired vision due to glaucoma and uveitis and gave up driving about 15 years ago but still has vision well in excess of the DVLA standard - we discussed this with her consultant, a Professor at Birmingham University, and he agreed the DVLA standard was woefully low.

It's not helped by many opticians describing 6/6 (20/20 in different units) as perfect eyesight - it isn't perfect just normal - some people's sight is better than 6/6.

 

[otherclive]

So he was diagnosed? Not that it matters but that’s why I asked 😉. Sounds like his optician failed him?

I don’t think you understand. I said he’d never had an eye test until one night driving from Portsmouth to Bath in the dark he found the oncoming glare almost impossible to deal with. He arranged a quick visit to an optician who referred him to Bath RUH. But even as his vision continued to deteriorate he could still read the letter chart at the legal level. No optician or consultant mentioned he should not drive. So I assume that has he self certified for licence renewal he stated that he met the requirements.

 

[RogerL]

I don’t think you understand. I said he’d never had an eye test until one night driving from Portsmouth to Bath in the dark he found the oncoming glare almost impossible to deal with. He arranged a quick visit to an optician who referred him to Bath RUH. But even as his vision continued to deteriorate he could still read the letter chart at the legal level. No optician or consultant mentioned he should not drive. So I assume that has he self certified for licence renewal he stated that he met the requirements.

Consultants aren't always up to speed with DVLA's medical requirements, even in their own specialisation - when I had my pacemaker fitted the Consultant wouldn't have mentioned driving and when I raised the subject he had to go away and check the requirements.

 

[Buckman]

It's not helped by many opticians describing 6/6 (20/20 in different units) as perfect eyesight - it isn't perfect just normal - some people's sight is better than 6/6.

We have a lot of trust that they prescribe the correct lenses when we visit an optician. Sadly over the years twice we have had issues and on using another optician the issue was resolved. Sadly Joe Public has no way of proving the lens were incompatible.

Very recently although I had no issue with reading specs, I found that my driving specs appeared to be out of focus. For instance I could see the sign, but needed to be close to be able to read the sign. A visit to another optician a couple fo months later and issue resolved. The first optician was part of a chain and the second an in dependent.

 

[otherclive]

We have a lot of trust that they prescribe the correct lenses when we visit an optician. Sadly over the years twice we have had issues and on using another optician the issue was resolved. Sadly Joe Public has no way of proving the lens were incompatible.

Very recently although I had no issue with reading specs, I found that my driving specs appeared to be out of focus. For instance I could see the sign, but needed to be close to be able to read the sign. A visit to another optician a couple fo months later and issue resolved. The first optician was part of a chain and the second an in dependent.

Two issues I have had were a new set of varifocals in metal frames developed straight vertical glare reflection lines in sunlight and night driving. I had to take photos of stars through the lenses to prove my point. The glare reflections were caused by light picking up on the inside of the frame and being vertically reflected downwards. The glasses were changed for a different design at no cost. The only other issue was that when driving peripheral vision such as glancing in to the mirror was very poor. The lenses had been made incorrectly by an error in transcribing the prescription. These too were replaced at no cost with new lenses. Fortunately I always retain my previous prescription glasses so I have a spare set to get me through. I have three sets of frames all in good condition that are available for reglazing either in an emergency, or to install new prescription lenses.