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

[otherclive]

As JC says motorway cameras can pick up cars and forward details and presumably they can be actioned by police cars, marked or unmarked. But to say the cameras are only revenue raising and not for safety ignores their prime purpose. That is to control traffic speeds and flows to aid the smooth, and safe flow of traffic. Without them many busy stretches of motorway would slow down with an increased risk of accidents slowing them down even more.

 

[Jcloughie]

The example I gave in #148 was for an operation the Police did in our area. I don’t know how often these ‘traps’ happen. But no doubt they are limited by lack of staff. But the idea of traffic cameras being able to undertake PNC checks would be automatic. (Though any follow up would take manpower). But I have no idea if the technology is fully implemented, or if that is the direction things are moving.

John

 

[Buckman]

As said only the law abiding drivers would take note of speed cameras. How will the speed camera prevent speeding, reckless driving etc as they can only monitor. We need a lot more traffic officers actually patrolling Motorway & A roads.

Just to add that numerous speed cameras on gantries have been switched off and millions will need to be paid in compensation. They recently found out that the time between the speed limit being changed and the camera acknowledging the change was a few seconds, but in that time numerous drivers were fined incorrectly for exceeding the speed limit with some being banned and losing their jobs.

 

[otherclive]

As said only the law abiding drivers would take note of speed cameras. How will the speed camera prevent speeding, reckless driving etc as they can only monitor. We need a lot more traffic officers actually patrolling Motorway & A roads.

Just to add that numerous speed cameras on gantries have been switched off and millions will need to be paid in compensation. They recently found out that the time between the speed limit being changed and the camera acknowledging the change was a few seconds, but in that time numerous drivers were fined incorrectly for exceeding the speed limit with some being banned and losing their jobs.

Not all drivers were fined a large number would not have been progressed, others would have been offered speed awareness courses. Once the issue came to light National Highways and the Police acted very quickly in moving to rectify to situation, which has regrettably put some drivers in a difficult position.

It’s an unfortunate incident but one that should not undermine the benefits of the speed and lane control gantries.

Thousands of drivers wrongly fined for speeding since 2021

An anomaly identified by National Highways caused thousands of incorrect speed camera activations.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Beachball]

Been to Specsavers today and check my eyes and he said everything was okay see you in two years time you will get a reminder .

 

[PTA]

If anyone has concerns about their motoring skills or wanting to improve them, have a look here. https://www.iamroadsmart.com/skills-days-2026/

Did that last May. Highly recommended.
Ahem,"Excellent overall."

 

[otherclive]

Been to Specsavers today and check my eyes and he said everything was okay see you in two years time you will get a reminder .

Why don’t you go each year. I’ve been doing that for years and especially when it is free for over 60s.

 

[RogerL]

Why don’t you go each year. I’ve been doing that for years and especially when it is free for over 60s.

It's only free for over 60s at the interval recommended by your optician - 2 years is the standard but some are recommended for retest at 1 year, some even shorter at 3 months.

 

[otherclive]

It's only free for over 60s at the interval recommended by your optician - 2 years is the standard but some are recommended for retest at 1 year, some even shorter at 3 months.

Oh, I just ring and book an eye test. Never been refused yet. Just kept on doing it after I passed the “ finishing post”.

 

[Buckman]

It's only free for over 60s at the interval recommended by your optician - 2 years is the standard but some are recommended for retest at 1 year, some even shorter at 3 months.

Due to medication I was recently prescribed, I was supposed to see an optician every 3 months. Over the years changes to my eyesight have not change much or not at all. Luckily I have been taken off that spefic medication so back to once a year.

 

[Sam Vimes]

Mileage obivously varies......

In Scotland eye tests are free to all. Recommendations are:-

1. Under 16s or over 60 - Annually
2. Between 16 - 59 - Bi-annually (or according the Scottish NHS - Bienially - which may be Gaelic or due to poor eyesight of the person writing the information)
3. Have Diabetes - Annually
4. Impaired Sight - Annually

Even south of the border I was told to have mine checked annually because of a family history of Glaucoma, which I haven't inherited it seems.

https://www.eyes.nhs.scot/media/1480/your-guide-to-free-nhs-eye-examinations-in-scotland.pdf

 

[RogerL]

Mileage obivously varies......

In Scotland eye tests are free to all. Recommendations are:-

1. Under 16s or over 60 - Annually
2. Between 16 - 59 - Bi-annually (or according the Scottish NHS - Bienially - which may be Gaelic or due to poor eyesight of the person writing the information)
3. Have Diabetes - Annually
4. Impaired Sight - Annually

Even south of the border I was told to have mine checked annually because of a family history of Glaucoma, which I haven't inherited it seems.

https://www.eyes.nhs.scot/media/1480/your-guide-to-free-nhs-eye-examinations-in-scotland.pdf

In England you could get free annual eye tests even if you're under 60 if you have a blood relative with glaucoma.

 

[Beachball]

Why don’t you go each year. I’ve been doing that for years and especially when it is free for over 60s.

Well I have been doing that until I got discharged from the hospital in 2016 but in April I will be 70 . so now every two years is fine for me .they had a good luck into my eyes because when I was younger I use to wear Glasses.

 

[Dustydog]

Well I have been doing that until I got discharged from the hospital in 2016 but in April I will be 70 . so now every two years is fine for me .they had a good luck into my eyes because when I was younger I use to wear Glasses.

BB What’s the problem my boy?
With all your documented issues you must be a prime candidate for an annual eye test! Never look a health check in the eye😜
I was told last year I was pre diabetic, not now, but sent on loads of free tests including eyes, lungs ct scans , annual blood tests etc.
Today with what’s not going on in Westminster and our declining ages take everything you are offered for the sake of your own health.

 

[Hutch]

It is also worth doing the OCT eye test, it seems to cost another £10 , but if I had not had it the Optician said he would not have noticed I had a detached Retina,
I had my eye test on the Wednesday in Milton Keynes, Boots Opticians, and Laser surgery, Friday Lunchtime in St Thomas's London.

 

[otherclive]

It is also worth doing the OCT eye test, it seems to cost another £10 , but if I had not had it the Optician said he would not have noticed I had a detached Retina,
I had my eye test on the Wednesday in Milton Keynes, Boots Opticians, and Laser surgery, Friday Lunchtime in St Thomas's London.

I’d echo Hutches recommendation as a normal retinal photo showed up “freckle” areas subsequently shown at hospital to not be an issue. But a later OCT picked up a problem with the optic nerve that a retinal photo did not show. That got me a referral to Bristol Eye Hospital, fortunately showed the finding was temporary and was no longer there.

 

[Beachball]

BB What’s the problem my boy?
With all your documented issues you must be a prime candidate for an annual eye test! Never look a health check in the eye😜
I was told last year I was pre diabetic, not now, but sent on loads of free tests including eyes, lungs ct scans , annual blood tests etc.
Today with what’s not going on in Westminster and our declining ages take everything you are offered for the sake of your own health.

Different diagnosis required health assessment cannot compare .(side affects of diabetics retinopathy)

 

[joanie]

there are still a lot of people who buy the glasses that they sell in supermarkets. I don't think people realise that both lenses are the same in the glasses but both eyes are not. So if it makes people more aware of their eyesight I think the government has the right idea.

 

[RogerL]

there are still a lot of people who buy the glasses that they sell in supermarkets. I don't think people realise that both lenses are the same in the glasses but both eyes are not. So if it makes people more aware of their eyesight I think the government has the right idea.

If you mean the ready-readers that many supermarkets and chemists sell, that shouldn't be an issue as most people have the same reading prescription in each eye as an add-on figure.

If you mean the glasses that Asda opticians sell, then you are wrong - each lens is made to the individual's eye prescription just like those at optician chains or independent opticians, quite possibly in the same factory - other supermarkets may have similar arrangements.

 

[Buckman]

If you mean the ready-readers that many supermarkets and chemists sell, that shouldn't be an issue as most people have the same reading prescription in each eye as an add-on figure.

I would think that an issue would be that you may have one wonky eye and the other eye no real issue. Wearing the glasses may damage the eye that does not have an issue?

 

[RogerL]

I would think that an issue would be that you may have one wonky eye and the other eye no real issue. Wearing the glasses may damage the eye that does not have an issue?

People don't, or shouldn't, wear ready-readers all the time.

I've always understood from professionals that wearing the wrong prescription glasses won't permanently damage the eyes.

Recently my wife needed cataracts in both eyes operated on - but due to complications after the first operation there was a 4-month gap between the two operations giving her very unbalanced vision where the operated eye could see without glasses but the other still needed +7 correction - her surgeon advised against removing one lens from her previous glasses but was quite happy with her using ready-readers for reading with the operated eye - despite them being totally wrong for the unoperated eye. She's now had the other eye operated on and doesn't even need glasses to read.

 

[Sam Vimes]

there are still a lot of people who buy the glasses that they sell in supermarkets. I don't think people realise that both lenses are the same in the glasses but both eyes are not. So if it makes people more aware of their eyesight I think the government has the right idea.

Out of curiosity I tried some - I got them for free anyway. I already new from my presciption that each eye is different so wasn't expecting much success for reading.

I managed to choose a pair that had the correct lens for one eye and indeed this wasn't too bad, but the other eye was too far off the scale for them to be any use.

It has occured to me that I could buy two pairs - one pair suitable for one eye, the other for the other eye. Then swap the lenses to suit. However, the pair I got didn't have lenses that could be removed.

 

[birdman101]

Surely not thinking of driving with reading glasses.

 

[Dustydog]

Surely not thinking of driving with reading glasses.

Needs to read the dashboard instruments😜