It is difficult but I agree with RT's post. If eyesight is marginal my advice would be don't drive. Although I do have an eye condition ( see consultant every 6 months ) it does not affect my eye sight - although it may in the future we are working to prevent this happening.

If I have the slightest concern, or anything mentioned to me, then I will immediately stop driving. The responsibility of driving safely is too great.

Like you I would be very concerned about the optician and pursue that as a matter of principle.

I'm interested to know if you feel that it affects your driving in any way - that you have to compensate for.

There are so called drivers who have perfect vision who frighten me more than anyone who can drive safely in spite of eyesight difference.

I suffer from Glaucoma and Specsavers are my optition. The visual field test carried out in branch at our local Specsavers is one eye at a time which is not the test required by the DVLA which lasts much longer and is both eyes together as suggested in the post above. To fail this test your Glaucoma has to be really serious since to loose visual field in both eyes in the same area would be incredibly unlucky.

My Glaucoma only affects one eye thus according to the DVLA rules I did not need to notify them of my condition. Regardless of this I notified them and recieved a letter back confirming my condition does not affect my entotlement to carry on driving with no restrictions.

If after correction the OP's relatives eyesight is marginal enough to fail the requirements of the normal vision test surely it is better for them to cease driving than cause an accident in which they or another person could be seriously injured or worse.

On question, does the OP's relative suffer from catteracts, if they do, after surgery they will be OK to drive again.

I'm shortsighted in both eyes but with one much worse than other and also have an astigmatism.

If I squint a bit I can read a numberplate without glasses at requisite distance. Driving without my glasses would frighten me to death never mind my passengers and surrounding road users.

If you can "just" pass the legal requirement without glasses, but you wear your glasses to correct your shortsightedness and astigmatism you probably have excellent vision.

The visual fields program applicable to the DVLA is the Esterman.

Specsavers got the contract because they will carry out the test for less than other opticians.

With any visual fields test there is an element of 'learning' and people often do better the second time around, especially if it's immediately. I often rereat visual fields when the results look dubious as often it's down to patient error.

The current visual acuity required to be legal is very easy to attain, and in my opinion should be made more difficult.

Getting the GP involved will not do much in my experience as they dont know much with regards to the eyes and the result of the Esterman visual field will always be used over anything else