Peripheral vision and driving

Life after stroke Driving
27

Hi the software I use isandroid based called Visual attention therapy Lite.

Hope it helps

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28

I am not hopeful of it recovering as my first peripheral vision test has shown no improvement after one year.i may be wrong but no breakthrough as yet

29

I have had several TIAā€™s which affect my vision temporarily and just when I think all ok I get another It is frustrating not being able to get out and about just for a bit of shopping or visit the gym or even out for a tea and a bite to eat, as we are not in a town transport is essential, whether there will be an improvement I donā€™t know but the thought of losing that independence takes some getting used to, best of luck and hope all goes well

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30

Thanks I have come to terms with relying on my wife driving me every where or the kids, rather sad as I loved driving letā€™s hope next year s eye test shows improving peripheral vision I ma not be finished yet

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31

:+1: yep, for both of us

32

Update the test in august showing improvement on both of my eyes left side

Prof the brain is doing something .
Now itā€™s time span to get me driving again.

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35

There is some visual improvement I donā€™t get ambushed by door posts but the blind spot is still intact from the left peripheral side.

Hopefully it will improve for next august ey test

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36

Glad there has been some improvement for you. Fingers crossed for more to come x

39

Hi Elletwo years 8 months thre in jan next year.
I carry out left eye exercises when my wife is driving to improve the eyes use plus stationary eye exercises, I know it is working as I feel sick or get a headache.

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41

Hi Elle the other exercises were from the you tube basiceye exercising looking left then right, then up and down and finally diagonal right to left. I found that this makes the brain communicate the left and right portions of the brain operation for sight.

43

There is a route back but you will need to jump through a lot of hoops.
You can apply to DVLA to get a temporary licence to be assessed at a disabled driving centre,
You need to provide a medical dossier with a letter from your doctor and a consultant eye specialist ( I was assessed at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London ) stating that you are adapted to any sight imperfection and are fit to drive.
You also have to fill in a medical form and sign a declaration.
Following this you may be granted a temporary provisional licence valid up to the date of your assessment.It needs to be surrendered to the assessor following assessment.
This licence can also be used to take practice lessons in a dual control car with an instructor.I recommend one that specialises in teaching people with disabilities.
You then take an assessment at a disabled driving centre and a brief test on reactions,reading a number plate ,coordination ,any physical disability before a short drive off road at the centre.
If they are happy with this you then do an assessment on the road for around 30 mins on a mixture of roads including main roads at up to 70mph.
You will need to demonstrate a high level of proficiency which is why time spent with an instructor is invaluable since things have changed since you passed your driving test.
Good luck

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45

The process took me about 18 months from application to taking the assessment.
The not so good news is that I didnā€™t reach the required standard to get my licence back.
Their feedback was that they saw no signs of any defect in my peripheral vision and that I would have passed a driving test but they were looking for a higher level of proficiency.
I am a cautious driver at over 70 years old having driven for 50 years with no accidents or points
on my licence.
Their expectation these days is that you drive up to the speed limit rather than keep a few mph below it as I did.
The better news is that I live in London where my senior citizens travel pass is valid on buses,tube and rail within M25 ,and Elizabeth Line beyond it, so I am able to get about easily.
The source of my stroke was a blood clot to my brain up the vertebral artery,clot having passed through my heart via a PFO which had never closed following my birth 63 years earlier.

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47

Hi I had about 10 hours of tuition from a specialist disabled driving instructor,all in London where I live in NW1 where it is mainly 20mph limits and 30 mph on main roads.
I had not driven for 10 years and had little or no practice on 70 mph roads so on my assessment was a little hesitant .I did drive at 70 mph on a section of trunk road near the M25.
Where I felt most rusty was on 60 mph roads and I gave my instructor that feedback that I would have benefited from longer 3-4 hour lessons that enabled me to drive on more suburban and country roads rather than central London.Not a criticism of the instructor but as to what you can do in a one hour lesson in central London ( I live in NW1 )
Best wishes and good luck

Tony

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49

Great summary Tony many thanks.

50

Member of my support group very keen to get back to driving but leaving off having the test, for a while, hoping there might be some improvements in her vision. She said you can have only one test after a stroke . True or false ? Sheā€™s putting off having test for this reason

53

I was informed last night that next year the dvla are reviewing their list of visual issues and hemiopia may be changing maybe even removing it so watch this space

Also I find my peripheral vision is vastly better in the morning after a good night sleep.

Keep on trucking everyone

Here is the link to read up on

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56

Hi Elle Iā€™m no clearer than you I asked my wife and her view based on the way it read was hemopia was coming off the list of specific conditions but I will wait to read the final version in 2024

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58

I am in the same situation. Itā€™s really hard. I was born with a congenital disability so have always used a wheelchair, but worked hard to have an adapted car and have driven my whole life as it gives you such independence. My stroke has left me with left homonymous hemanopia and i have just had the dvla letter telling me following the test I am definitely not allowed to drive. It affects everything, work, life, friendships. Accessible transport is pretty poor where I live so trying hard to find some positives. Think the only one so far is in the cold dark nights I have been able to say to people if they want to meet up they have to come to me now!

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59

@Smurf13 hi & welcome to the forum. Really sorry to read of your sight issues. It really does take away a lot of your independence when they tell you yiu canā€™t drive. Have you been told that your vision could improve? If so you might get your licence back one dayā€¦no help for now though I know.

Best wishes

Ann

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61

Thanks Anne and Simon, Yes first post. :grinning: been reading for a while but has taken me a while to process / accept my diagnosis and different life. Was really hoping DVLA assessment would be different, but felt like it has bought a finality to the processā€¦ Been a tough year, but appreciate it could have been worse. Thank you for your support and kindness.

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