Ability to drive

[Moira]

Hello everyone,
I would like some advice about KC and driving. about a year ago i was diagnosed with KC which has apparently reached far stages in my left eye and mild/moderate in my right. i had no idea that my sight was diminishing until i had my first driving license and couldn't read the numberplate!
Now i am slowly getting used to rgp lenses (rose k) but i am unsure about whether i am safe to drive. The hospital says i should be ok (but didnt know) and that most people with KC carry on driving. That is what makes me most unsure is that most KC can already drive and just carry on as long as noone intervenes. The dvla has a clause about eye conditions affecting 1 or both eyes must be announced. i am very confused and nervous as would not want to drive if i was a risk to myself or others. Also what if my eyes get worse? But i keep missing out on jobs cause i am unable to drive!!! Find this really distressing. Find it annoying there is not just a simple test of visual acuity to let you know if you are safe.Please let me know your advice on this, i would be very grateful, moira

[Janet Manning]

Hi Moira,
You can request a test free of charge from your local DVLA centre. I did this after my grafts when I was uncertain about whether I met the requirements. I passed and then got a letter from the DVLA to that effect, but warning that it was up to me to keep checking that my sight had not deteriorated. Given that we generally get our eyes tested many times each year at hospital and optometrist appointments this is not difficult to do.
Good luck, Janet

[John Smith]

Hello Moira, and welcome to the group.

I know exactly what you mean about KCers driving. I certainly didn't want to take the risk of causing an accident, so I infomed the DVLA on a driving licence application form (to convert an old paper licence to a new photo one).

The DVLA wrote back to me asking for my optician's details. They then wrote to the optician who told them I was "borderline". Their next step was to invite me to the local DVLA test centre for a "numberplate" sight test.

Unfortunately, that was just before my stitches were due to be removed, and I'd need new specs afterwards as the stitch removal would probably change my vision. I'm still waiting for my vision to settle to something decent (new sclerals probably required) before doing that - so at the moment, I can't drive. It's very annoying, but at least I know my limitations.

[GarethB]

Hi Moira,

I have the Rose K lenses and I am now driving again with them as when they were fitted I could read all but the last line of the chart.

You need to be able to read a normal car number plate at about 20m and being the anorak I am, I knwo that 25 normal paces makes about 20m for me and every day when I walk my dogs, I have a quick check.

As in the otehr posts, DVLA are helpful and you should have no problem with being able to drive.

Gareth

[Ann Rumsby]

Hi all,
I am a new member, having been diagnosed with keratoconus 12-15 years ago. I've coped fine with it, but am finding it increasing difficult to deal with the "reflections" from neon lights at night. At the moment I don't have contacts or anything - would they help? Or is there anything else that I could do to reduce the glare?

Thanks,

Ann.

[GarethB]

Hi Anne,

My RGP's have a blue tint, slightly deeper blue in the right lens (my worst eye). The left can be corrected with glasses, but the glare from lights is a lot less with the contact. I can not see the subtle blue. Prior to the RGP's I did have glasses with an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare. The optician is best to ask about this and i think the coatings cost a little extra.

Some places do what are known as 'Night Driving Glasses' I think. If I can find the information again, I will post it here.

Regards

Gareth

[John Smith]

I've coped fine with it, but am finding it increasing difficult to deal with the "reflections" from neon lights at night. At the moment I don't have contacts or anything - would they help?

Hello Ann, and welcome to the forum.

It sounds like you're talking about what opticians generally call "ghosting" - where you can see another image (or more than one).

I certainly found that by wearing a scleral lens, the ghosting diminishes dramatically, can't remember what it was like with RGPs though, sorry.

[GarethB]

For me with the Rose K RGP lenses, the ghosting has gone, but back in the late eighties before these were available, I did get ghosting with my RGP lenses.

I think Rose K RGP lenses are the norm now.

Hope this helps.