KC and Driving

[Emma_Marie]

Hi guys, i've been givin clearance 4rm the hospital to go ahead and apply 4 my driving licence but ive been told that i have 2 declare my KC to the DVLNI. Should this affect my application? i only just passed the test in the opticians and that was with squinting! at the moment im wearing the piggy back lenses which give me great vision compared to what i was used 2! has anyone else had any experience with this?
Thanks,
Emma

[GarethB]

You may be asked to go to a DVLA test centre to show that you can read a car number plate at 20.5 meters which is the legal minimum standard for driving. Basically an examiner will ask you to look at a number plate and read it. Unlike the optm eye test you will have both eyes open.

For me, reading a car number plate in normal light is easier than the eye chart. This is due to the back light of the chart, if the light is off, I read the letters a whole load better.

If you can achieve this, you should be fine. Next time you are out and about and walk past a parked car, roughly pace out 20 meters, turn round and see if you can read the number plate.

Go for it, lets get another KC person on the roads.

[jayuk]

Emma

The real test in my opinion is if you can see a number plate at the required distance 20 metres I think?......

As far as declaring it to the DVLA; if you feel confident that you can go into the test and get pass the initial visual test; than I see no reason to declare it?.....however; bear in mind that if your KC does advance and you do drive the car knowing full well you can not see to the required specifications; should you have an accident than god help you as far as legal matters are concerned.

Although, I would assume you wouldn't do that...but its an easy mistake to make...(Ive done it previously! and stopped - realising the risk I pose to others)

[Paul Osborne]

Funnily enough I am seriously considering stopping driving at night at least.

Day time is not a problem at all, but with the distortion I get off lights at night make things are a tad erm interesting.

My optician says that my sight is fine for driving and not to worry.

Paul

[Andrew MacLean]

Emma

Go ahead and declare your KC. If the DVLA want you to attend for an additional test (they do not always ask for this), then you will have both eyes open and benefit from the binocular effect. This can give a full extra line, even if the sight in the weaker eye is very poor. I have never understood this, except that it seems to have something to do with the occipital lobe of your brain constructing a coherent image from fragmentary data being relayed from your eyes.

It will help your insurance and give you a firm basis on which to drive. I'm pretty sure that most KC sufferers who drive are better able to read the number plates of other cars than a great many drivers with 'normal' eyes

[GarethB]

Paul,

Regarding distortions at night due to lights, have you tried a very mils tint on the windscreen in addition to what is most modern cars as standard?

The light screen tint film I have added to my cars does not make the windscreen look any darker, but it does have extra anti glare poperties and the manufacturer claims a 40% glare reduction.

I still get the star effect from lights, but only head lights and only to the extent the headlights are half as big again as to what they normaly are.

The process of getting a window tinted is relativly cheap and quick to get done.

Gareth

[Andrew MacLean]

Gareth,

Can you have this sort of tint put on at any garage, or do you need to go to a specialist centre. sounds well worth prusuing.

andrew

[jayuk]

There are specialist places that do it. A whole car (all windows) generally costs £250 and takes 4 hours max to do.

Def a good idea Gareth! I didnt really pay attention to the UV protection aspect....

[David Bennett]

The DVLA reqirement is to read a standard number plate at 20.5 meters. lettrs must be 79mm high 57 wide (pre September 2001 plate, and 79mm high 50 mm wide post Sept 01 plate) You have to state your eye condition, and you have to have a visual field which is 120 degrees horizontally and 40 derees vertically (20 degrees above and below fixation)
If you are uncertain, then find an Optometrist/hospital which has a Humphrey VFA with an " Estermann" program. That's the officially recognised VF program (there are others).

Unsuprisingly all the driving info may be found on the DVLA website! http://www.dvla.gov.uk, readable in Welsh and English. Navigate to thedriver information - medical rules and hey presto! The link:

http://www.assoc-optometrists.org/uploa ... _may04.pdf

is also useful.

Best

David

[Andrew MacLean]

Emma,

For DNLNI equivalent go to

http://www.dvlni.gov.uk/
http://www.dvlni.gov.uk/drivers/medical_eyesight.htm

all the best

Andrew