Squint/ "lazy eye" eliable to benefits?

[Deleted User]

scottyyy wrote: »

Hi, i need some information...i was born with a squint/lazy eye in my left eye, and had an operation to straighten it out when i was around 3 years old...but couldnt and still cant see out of my left eye. Im 22 now, my brain is focusing everything out of my right eye, cant see atall out of my left eye, unless i cover my right eye and get a really bad blurred vision and can just about make out what hands a clock is on (from a few centremeteres away!) I havent been to the optitions since i was 17 as he told me theres nothing they can do to fix my eye, so didnt think there was any need to go there anymore...anyways...i was just wondering if there were any benefits or anything i could claim for this? im full time employed, and been driving for 4 years, but recently told workmates about my lazy eye, they told me i could claim benefits or disibility allowence, and to tell my insurance company...are they right? as i am keen to find out.
Hope you can help
Scottyy

I think the short answer to your benefits question is NO,what worries me is that with your vision problems you are still driving,my dad lost the prephial(sp?)vision in one eye following a stroke,he was instructed by his consultant to inform the dvla who immediately took away his licence
Just let me know next time your out driving then i can hide

Alikay

Most people who have squints go to the optician regularly, myself included. They check the health and vision of both of your eyes and would advise you immediately if you weren't safe to drive. With only one fully-functioning eye it is vital to make sure it is healthy and that your specs or lenses if you wear them are the right prescription. I need a prescription for my good eye so I go every year, and no, I don't get free eye tests or specs.

I'm surprised that the OP hasn't had an eye test for several years, particularly since they now consider themselves so badly affected that they may be entitled to some form of benefit.

Kantankrus_Mare

I can't believe the amount of people that believe us "handicapped" people with lazy eyes shouldnt be driving!!

What poppyco ck!! Surely all our opticians would be advising us not to?

Maybe we ought to be starting our own club on here.

Ill start us off:

Number one member of the one eyed drivers club :rotfl:

[Deleted User]

Kantankrus_Mare wrote: »

I can't believe the amount of people that believe us "handicapped" people with lazy eyes shouldnt be driving!!

What poppyco ck!! Surely all our opticians would be advising us not to?

Maybe we ought to be starting our own club on here.

Ill start us off:

Number one member of the one eyed drivers club :rotfl:

it wasnt so much that the OP had a squint but that he also had periods of double vision,not a good combination for driving anything other than a dinky toy,imho:eek:

Glyndwr_2

Girl0174 wrote: »

A former work colleague was all geared up to buying a car and getting back to driving after losing vision in one eye. DVLA revoked her licence when she failed their special visual field test for driving. Apparently her good eye was defective on the side vision but ok centrally but she was unaware. It is a legal requirement and also for your insurance to be valid for your vision to meet the legal requirement as set out in the transport act. If you have glasses to correct your vision to the required standard they must be worn. Hope this helps. There are lots of people out there who fail to have their sight checked and put themselves and others in danger.

And not forgetting that everyone has an obligation to inform the DVLA of their medical conditions, listed on the DVLA website, which includes monocular vision.

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/media/pdf/medical/aagv1.pdf
Page 37 onwards for visual disorders.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/MedicalRulesForDrivers/DG_4022415
If you have had, or currently suffer from a medical condition or disability that may affect your driving you must tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You'll also need to provide details if you develop a new condition or disability or one that has become worse since your licence was issued.
Failure to notify DVLA is a criminal offence and is punishable by a fine of up to £1000.

It is not up to you to decide whether you can/should continue to drive. You must inform the DVLA who will take medical advise and make that decision. You must also tell your insurers, even if you advise the DVLA and they allow you to continue to drive.