Eyesight level for Driving?

DesignBod

Hi,

wonder if anyone knows anything about eye tests and when you might need glasses for driving as I'm not sure if I'm being unnecessarily unsold to ...

Had an eye test last Jan (16) which gave me the following prescription:

Right eye: Sphere: +025, Cylinder -050, Axis 170
Left eye: Sphere +075 (corrected from original post) Cylinder -200, Axis 6

Reading Addition +200
Intermediate Addition +175

I went into a glasses store today to choose a new pair and showed them my prescription (was also thinking of having an updated test done) and they told me that a) I shouldn't be driving without glasses (I only use glasses for reading and computer work currently) and the DVLA would prevent me if they knew (!) and b) I should have THREE pairs of glasses, one for reading, one for PC work and one for driving.

I nearly fell over at other these points as I make a note of having annual eye tests and at the one in Jan (in Boots) the Optician had said nothing about needing them for driving, nor needing more than one pair. Plus I have very good long-range vision.

I left feeling as though I was being up sold and have made another eye test appointment at Boots but wondered if any kind soul here might be able to shed some light (ps I'm early 50s).

Thanks in advance.

[Deleted User]

These are the driving rules:

https://www.gov.uk/driving-eyesight-rules

Torry_Quine

Have you been told you need annual eye tests as the standard is two years unless told otherwise.

GlasweJen

Your prescription doesn't necessarily indicate your visual acuity which is what's important when driving. Your left eye prescription is quite high, do your current glasses have a much thicker lens on that side? If you're not aware of this huge differenxe I'm going to guess that either your prescription has been mistyped or you have a lazy left eye and you don't normally get it fully corrected. If one eye is lazy and the other sees normally this wouldn't affect your driving.

McKneff

i would get a new eye test.

How can you possibly get new specs with a prescription that is 12 months old.

savingfortomorrow

get a full eyesight test done and follow their advise. If you want it totally impartial go to a different optician. I would not take chances.

DesignBod

GlasweJen, apologies, that's a typo on the left eye - should have read 075 which I think is also .75 so not that strong.

Yes, McKnef, as I mentioned in the OP, I was planning on having a new test done before purchasing new glasses.

DesignBod

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Have you been told you need annual eye tests as the standard is two years unless told otherwise.

No, but as about to buy new ones and other test was a year ago, thought it would be sensible.

GlasweJen

DesignBod wrote: »

GlasweJen, apologies, that's a typo on the left eye - should have read 075 which I think is also .75 so not that strong.

Yes, McKnef, as I mentioned in the OP, I was planning on having a new test done before purchasing new glasses.

That makes much more sense. The prescription as written is for 3 sets of correction; distance, intermediate and near. The problem is the VA isn't recorded. With a 2.00 cyl I would normally expect distance correction but if you're not used to it that can cause more problems than it solves, especially as your other eye has almost no cyl and you've not been corrected for distance before.

You'll be charged for another test unless your new optician does it free with your purchase. I'd ask for an acuity test and specifically ask to see the 6/9 line corrected and uncorrected. If you can read it uncorrected with both eyes open you don't need driving glasses but you might want them if the line is slightly blurred or if it's crisper with the correction. That's down to personal preference.

You'll find in high street opticians the opticians are targeted on their conversion rate (how many eye tests turn into sales) but the people selling the glasses are targeted on the value of the sales so if someone walks in with an outside prescription and they see 3 prescriptions that could be a brilliant sale right there; either 3 separate pairs and a coating on the driving pair or a nice varifocal sale - always welcome on a quiet week when sales are down and bonus is looking a bit poor. The sales people at the second shop don't have the optom breathing down their neck saying pesky sales dampening things like "just a pair of readers for mr smith please" like would happen if you buy your glasses where you get your eyes tested.

DesignBod

Many thanks GlasweJen, that is extremely helpful and I will certainly take your advice at my next test tomorrow. I'm happy to pay for it to get some clarity on all of this.

If I need driving glasses, I'm happy to have them, but as I've not experienced any issues when driving, it seems odd. However, if the correct test proves that I need them then I certainly wouldn't risk driving without them.

The second sales girl who I went to see with my prescription was rather pushy so I suspect, as you say, sales were down as it was New Years week.

Thanks again and Happy New Year.

kirtondm

I am assuming you are not looking for a group 2 lisence ( lorries etc) - Their may be a need for spectacles to meet the specific requirements for that. Otherwise

1. Driving is based on vision not prescrription so no one could advise without sticking you in front of a chart and assessing with a number plate.

2. It is unlikely from your prescripton you would need them for driving as the RE prescription is so minimal and as alreadty mentioned the 2 cyl could cause problems.