Driving with KC

[Lee Fraser]

I have had KC for approximately 20 years and have been wearing sclerals for the last 5 years and even though my sight has improved I am at the stage where I have slight problems driving my car, especially at night. I was wondering if any others have had problems when driving because I am concerned that before too long I will not be able to drive, legally, because of my sight. I would be interested if anyone has been told that they can no longer drive because of their vision or any tips on how to overcome this.

[Andrew MacLean]

Hello Lee

I can no longer drive, although I hope that when my graft settles and the stitches come out, I may be able to drive again.

I don't know what can be done to overcome the problem in the short term, but the long term looks more hopeful for me.

I used my car a lot for my work, and had imagined that being unable to drive would be an unmittigated disaster; instead it has turned out to be a relatively mild irritant. If the time comes for you to stop dirving (and I'd guess that most folk who live with KC never get to the point where their sight has deteriorated so much that driving is out) your local authority's sensory impairment team will go over all sorts of wonderful new possibilities with you.

Be of good heart!

Abdrew

[Janet Manning]

Hi,
Like Andrew I had to give up driving for a couple of years post graft. Once the stitches were out I applied for a DVLA test to make sure I met the legal limits. Went by bus to test centre as I was convinced I'd fail, but I didn't!
However I impose a daytime only limit on myself, as night driving can be difficult some days. My sight varies day to day. so I can never predict how it will be.
Like Andrew, when I couldn't drive, I didn't find it that bad. When the time comes to give up, I won't have the expense of running a car, so will be able to afford taxis sometimes. Meanwhile I have the occasional week without one lens or the other and have to get the bike out - terribly good for me! No one says you have to be able to see to ride a bike on a bike track!
The DVLA test is useful in terms of your insurance.
And this week I'm getting a new car - well new to me! Even if it proves to be my last, I shall enjoy it while I can!
Janet

[Andrew MacLean]

Hi,

Once the stitches were out I applied for a DVLA test to make sure I met the legal limits. ...

The DVLA test is useful in terms of your insurance.

Does one have to go through the DVLA, or is a certificate from thehospital optician sufficient?

Just wondering, some time to go before this becomes a live issue for me!

Andrew

[Janet Manning]

Hi Andrew,
I went to the DVLA because my GP put the frightners on me by saying that even if you are fully insured the company will not pay up if you are found not to meet the required visual accuity for driving. The thought of having an accident and possibly injuring someone or worse and then finding myself liable for a huge financial claim was far worse than the thought of not driving.

I passed the DVLA test when I went for it, but they still put the onus on you to check your vision regularly. I found the test had clout with my insurance company, when I got back on the road and had to declare my eye condition. My sight gets tested reguarly at hospital visits, so I feel that I am taking the necessary steps to check I'm meeting the requirements.

As far as I know there is no legal requirement to produce any kind of certificate of visual accuity. It is one's own responsibilty to make sure you reach the requirements.

Sometimes when I have to go without a lens for a few days, depending on which eye it is, I could just about drive, but have never taken the risk. It's just not worth it. I'd rather wait, take the bus in the meantime and still be able to drive once my eye has recovered. I think it's best to work from the position that every day I can still drive is a bonus, rather than take it for granted. Watch out for my new green Micra from tomorrow!!!!!

Good luck when you try getting back on the road!
Janet

[Andrew MacLean]

Thanks Janet

As I say, It'll be some time before I'm ready to go back on the road. i guess when my Opthalmologist clears me to drive, I'll contact the DVLA to ask about their sight test.

Many thanks

I hope this little exchange hasn't been too alarming for you, Lee. As I said, most folk with KC never get to the point where they have to stop driving.

Andrew

[Rob Armstrong]

I have recently been wondering about the official position regarding driving and KC too.

I passed my test before I was diagnosed with KC, (Although I had noticed my sight was worsening).

But, as my parents don't drive, I hadn't driven since the day I passed my test.

One day during a routine contact lens fitting, the optometrist mentioned in passing "Do you drive?"
I replied "I've got my license but no, I don't."
"Good, don't" she replied.

And that was all that was said!

Nothing was ever mentioned about informing the DVLA, etc.

Then a few months ago, my consultant commented during a post graft check-up "6/9 - thats the legal limit for driving - it'll be even better with your new glasses."

He basically said I could drive again, with just the one good eye. No mention about informing the DVLA or declaring my condition to the insurance company.

I'm now down as a second driver for my brother's car, although I've only ever taken it for a spin around Tesco's car park one Sunday evening (when its closed). To be honest I'm really nervous about driving again. I was 17 when I passed my test, I'm 23 now. It feels like it was in a different life-time, one where I'd never even heard of Keratoconus.

Having read what Janet said about insurance being invalid has made me even more doubtful.

My brother wants me to get driving again so I can be HIS taxi service for a change, and once I get uni out of the way next week (finally!) I'll be looking for jobs, and not being able to drive will seriously limit my options.

Guess I've got a lot to think about.

Rob.

[John Smith]

I've discovered recently that when you move house you have to tell the DVLA. That form now asks whether you have, or have ever had, any condition that affects the sight in both eyes.

Of course, I declared my KC. That confused them! I had to give my optician's details so that they could make enquireies about my acuity.

Unfortunately, this coincided with my stitches being removed, and the subsequent degrading of my vision.

The result: the DVLA have asked me to "withdraw my application" for a licence, until my vision is better.

As was said above, at least I know when I'm safe to drive... unlike many "normal" sighted people!

[Lee Fraser]

Many thanks for all your replies, your information has been helpful. I think that I should take the DVLA test which can confirm either way.

[GarethB]

I went under a self imposed driving ban prior to my grafts in 1989 and have found that it has never been necessary to declare that I once had eye problems.

The sight in my right eye has deteriorated again (but not the grafted part of the eye), the left graft is still fine and was told I was OK to drive. I can only see out of one eye at present, but I am still legal to drive. Recently returned from racing at the Nurburgring in Germany.

As long as you can read a number plate at the requiered distance, you are safe to drive, the optician is best to answer this. Night driving has been made easier with a non-reflective coating on my glasses, prior to that a very slight tint sunglasses helped (but ask optician first) and when I wore contacts prior to a graft, tinted contacts helped too.

Word of caution, I found when rallying I had to close one eye to judge corners. At this time I had the graft in my right eye and needed no further sight correctiona and was effectively blind in my left. My co-driver often got scared as he thought I was driving with my eyes shut!!!

Hope this helps.

Gareth