Cataracts, Driving License & Insurance.

Retrogamer

Been chatting to someone at work during break today and thought i'd post here to get other people's opinions.

They've recently been diagnosed with cataracts. No underlying health conditions (diabetes tests all ok etc)

They drive as well, so i asked them how DVLA and their insurance dealt with this, but they said they haven't informed them.

From what i remember if you have cataracts you're meant to tell DVLA and your insurance company about it (could be wrong?)

They're reason for not informing either is the cataracts haven't developed enough to affect their eyesight whilst driving.
They can still read registration plates at more than the required distance and opticians verified their eyesight was good enough to drive and no glasses needed etc.
They think that because their eyesight doesn't affect their driving then DVLA and their insurance don't need to know, until it does.

Is this right?

Nodding_Donkey

It depends whether it's one eye or two.


https://www.gov.uk/cataracts-and-driving

Spicy_McHaggis

From the .gov site

Cataracts and driving
You may need to tell DVLA if you have cataracts.
You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. You may be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result.

Car or motorcycle licence
Cataracts in 1 eye

You don’t need to tell DVLA as long as you don’t have a medical condition in the other eye.

After removal of cataracts

You’ll need to meet the ‘visual standards for driving’ if you’ve had surgery to remove cataracts.

Read the vision information leaflet ‘VIS1’ for more information.

Cataracts in both eyes

You must tell DVLA. Fill in form V1 and send it to them. The address is on the form.

Bus, coach or lorry licence
You must tell DVLA if you have cataracts in 1 or both eyes. Fill in form V1V and send it to them. The address is on the form.

SailorSam

I didn't inform Dvla when i had cataracts done.
I think 'cos it comes on slowly you don't even realise how bad your sight has become. I remember after i'd had the Op going back to the ward for a cup of tea and looking at the trees out of the window. It was only then i realised how bad it must have been before.