I think we scared Steven off. We can only hope that someone at the DMV
catches this.

On 1 May 2006 13:45:11 -0700, "Steven" <hyperope[at]yahoo.com> wrote:

- quote -

I've been thinking a pretty fair amount about this ... and am tending
to side with Gloria here. As it happens, I'm a cyclist, too.

At some point--horribly difficult and inconvenient though it may
be--you have to look at a standard other than whether you are "legally
qualified" to drive.

From what you're saying, you may well create a hazard and--as fate
tends to have it--that hazard will inure to the detriment of other
people.

Is that moral? Is that ethical? Is that fair??

Or is it a really awful form of selfishness....

Do you REALLY have to drive, or could you adapt your life in some
other way (yes: it may require sacrifices and alterations) so that you
could avail yourself of public transit, or other ... and maybe NOT
KILL somebody else?

Are you eligible--based on a visual impairment--for subsidized, or
free transportation through any social services organization??

If it were me ... and you hit me while I was riding my bike ... and it
was determined that it was your fault, and attributable even in part
to your vision ... I'm not sure how charitable I'd be.

Food for thought....

Gloria wrote:
- quote -

Gloria, I can see ok with a bit of caution. in any case i am alowed to
drive until 2008, when my license is due for renewall. no need to call
the driver safety office, please.

20/140 w/ less than 30 degrees of peripheral vision, and you still
drive!!?? As a cyclist who was nearly hit by someone like you who was
as blind as a bat, I find this really really scary! Maybe someone
should give your friends Kimberly and Sabrina at the driver safety
office in San Francisco a call to let them know.

Please!! this is crazy to be evening thinking of driving with your
vision!!

y_p_w wrote:
- quote -

the loss of side vision is one of the worst parts when driving. busy
streets are a nightmare, and forget about trying to cross a busy
intersection and look both ways! my neck is sore from trying to look
around enough. unfortunately my eye doc says there is nothing to do
about this

Steven wrote:

- quote -

Some states have a field of vision requirement and/or
daytime restrictions. I found the following:

Wisconsin - 70 degrees.
Oregon - 110 degrees.

<http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/apply/vision.htm<http://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/24.pdf
Here's a macular degeneration support group summary on
various state driving requirements:

<http://www.mdsupport.org/library/drivingregs.html
Seriously though - it probably isn't good idea to drive
with only an available 30 degree field of vision.

That thick bubble is a lenticular design. Since you had cateract
surgury, you are now aphakic and a high hyperope. Sorry,
20/140(probably 20/160 as theres no 20/140 line) isnt good enough to
safely drive.

Your best bet is to have your doctor fill out the DMV form. Your lenticular
(bubble) lenses should have plenty of visuall field t work with. However,
they ma require the drivers test because of the difference in magnification
from something faitrly to high plus. Good Luck.

Dr. Tom


Steven wrote:
- quote -

my visual field is limited because of my thick bubble spex. the only
part of the lense I can see through is the little bubble part in the
middle, which gives me maybe 20-30 degrees, hopefully enough not to be
legally blind. I can make up for this by turning my head frequently. I
have tried to get regular lenses but cant.

Your minimum driving vision for CA is 20/40 in one eye with your best
corrected vision (i.e. glasses, contacts). Also, you may have 20/20 but if
your vidsual field is less than 20 degrees (tunnel vision as in from glaucoma)
, that eye is considered leaglly blind.

You can go to DMV's website and pull up the vision form that your eye doctor
needs to fill out. Generally, they will accept his vision findings, but I
have heard that in certain instances, when there is a change like this, they
may want you to take a road test to see how well handle a car with impairment.


Dr. Tom
Steven wrote:
- quote -