Interesting article in the Express today - www.express.co.uk/news/uk/789605/June-Brown-EastEn...s
Read it yesterday when researching, bu no need for that yet... No indication of cost, but can't see it being "cheap" bu should I come to need it, would pay. Do' think the nhs will pay fr that, and don't expec them to!
Edited by oldroverboy. on 09/04/2017 at 14:44
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This kind of treatment ought to be a valid use of NHS monies, the benefit to quality of life is going to be enormous ... as well as reducing the need for other care services, likewise for private health insurance cover to fund this too. For the lucky few self-pay may be an option, like the chap who went to Prague to cure his prostrate cancer using a better treatment path than the NHS offers (as reported in the Express a few weeks ago) ...
Whether the eye treatment will be provided by the NHS is a different matter, beyond the scope of a motoring discussion forum!
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Whether the eye treatment will be provided by the NHS is a different matter, beyond the scope of a motoring discussion forum!
Drifting off subject yes!
My point in posting was to see if it had affected anyone else on the forum and their reactions, after all my eyesight is relevant to me being a safe driver.
I do not expect or need the NHS to fund the potential lense implants, and could fund the Lucentis injections myself if necessary. However the alternative drug used by the NHS is very good value and as good in tests, though primarily not designed for blood supply leaks to the eyes.
As I wrote earlier, while I am safe to drive, all well and good, But I won,t be selfish if the time comes that I need to hang up my keys.
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Had first of series of injections yesterday, asked the consultant about driving and was told fine for now. But he would le me know.
Injections were only a tiny bit irritating and very efficiently done. As I was a bit nervous, the lovely nurse held my hand... (A bonus!)
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Now nearly 3 years on. Last injections may 2019 and no further deterioration. Next appointment in 3 months as no changes for last 9 months.
Sigh of relief.
With positive out comes of lower BP and clear of cardio problems, some good news for the moment.
ORB
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Well done, ORB - good news!
My own eye problems are nowhere near as serious - the usual cataracts associated with age, the left eye for some reason being more affected than the right. However, I have no problems with glare at night and continue to drive as before.
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Great news ORB and thank you for telling us. If I remember right, Youngrovergirl is a doctor, so no doubt she looks after you.
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I remember your post from 2017, ORB, and am pleased to see the positive outcome for you. I have dry ARMD and live in fear of it progressing to wet, partly because of the risk of having to give up driving but mainly because of the need for the injections.
In 2017 I had a noticeable deterioration when doing the Amsler test so went to see the opthalmologist. I saw a young doctor who immediately suspected the worst - that the AMD had turned wet - and arranged for some emergency tests. As an incidental matter, my wife who was then a year away from retirement said as we stepped out of the consulting room “That’s it - I’m retiring.” I was already retired and we had plans for when she finally packed it in too and she wanted to get cracking while I still had reasonable eyesight. So she went straight back to work and informed her boss of her decision. A week later and the tests showed that my AMD was still dry, so panic over (although the deterioration was and still is present). As we stepped out of the consulting room I asked her semi-playfully whether she wanted to reverse her decision, but by then her mind was made up.
But to return to the point, my AMD continues as before. I still drive and can see quite well. I just have a problem focussing at distances. And sometimes I can’t read road signs quickly so my passenger has to read them for me. The optometrist tells me I still meet the DVLS test for driving, but like ORB I shall willingly stop driving when my eyesight gets too bad. I would be too scared to drive if I felt I couldn’t see properly as it’s very dangerous out there on the highway. I don’t find night driving difficult except in wet conditions when the road markings don’t show up so well and I have difficulty adjusting from bright sunlight to dark shade when driving under trees, for example.
Knowing that I shall most likely have to have eye injections at some point, I took great comfort from ORB’s post where he described his relief at finding them not as bad as he feared.
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A week ago I had my latest checkup, all clear, no injections, will monitor, but the surprise is that my eyesight prescription is identical to the 2017 one again.
Consultant said Blood pressure improvement helps, as does diet, and the fact that my alcohol consumtion is much lower all help too.
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Grest news, ORB. If anyone deserves a sustained period of good health, it's you.
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A week ago I had my latest checkup, all clear, no injections, will monitor, but the surprise is that my eyesight prescription is identical to the 2017 one again.
Good news, ORB, but no surprise. The inability of the aged rigid lens to vary its convexity (fatten and thin itself) thus enabling focus near and far, is separate from the retina, the receptive screen at the back of the eye.
Bit off topic but hope it helps.........back when I was around 40, I found that although near vision was OK, I needed -0.5 dioptre specs for distance. This was because I spent so much time focusing on near things that my lenses had forgotten how to adjust enough for sharp distance vision. So I started to wear +1dioptre reading glasses even though I didn't need them, gradually increasing the strength over time. This was because I wanted my inevitable presbyopia to fix for distance vision rather than near vision - which 30yrs later it now has. But I now need +3 reading glasses, which is fine because when I am not reading, vision is sharp and clear beyond about eight feet, and only slightly blurred at four feet. And reading glasses only cost a £1. ( No-one seems to sell cheap minus dioptre distance glasses - the opticians still have a monopoly).
I think the young of today who seem to spend their lives focusing on a object about eighteen inches from their face might be well advised to routinely wear reading glasses. Then when they get old they won't need to wear glasses all the time. This is why you rarely see farmers outside with glasses, but virtually all old accountants need them to pass the basic driving sight test.
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Latest checkup. little bit of deterioration so injection in right eye today, Nurse even held my hand...Not affecting eyesight.
Will be seen in 8 weeks.
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Good news ORB. I'm glad the injections worked.
To John F.
The eye cannot grow in axial length past the 30's. Close work has no effect after approx 26 years of age. You were myopic because the accommodation due to the lens made you a pseudo-myope. As you got older your accommodation decreased and your true prescription came through. Inevitably you are now presbyopic as we will all be one day.
There is a strong link associated between myopia and intellect, although it is less frequent now due to ipads/mobiles etc.. Farmers likely didn't have their head in the books during school... Hence why they are farmers and hyperopic (long sighted) Accountants likely did as students and hence became more myopic as a result.
Think of anyone who is famous (past or present) for their intellect and you will discover they are likely myopic. It is not a coincidence....
Edited by balleballe on 15/09/2020 at 23:13
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When I started as a driving instructor in 2002 i was long-sighted - presbyopic - so I needed reading glasses for close work. After a couple of years I found I didn't need them, I suspect because as a driving instructor my eyes spent their working day going - focus down the road - look in the various mirrors - look at the pupil's feet - look at the pupils eyes in my eye mirror - look at the road ahead as far as you can see = look at the speedo - look at the mirrors etc etc rinse and repeat for two hours at a time. So my eye muscles were getting a total workout.
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It's not the muscles that are at fault. To focus on a close object your muscles contract your lens. The lens starts to thicken with age which leads to presbyopia. Eventually it starts to become opaque which is a cataract and is something everyone will get if they live long enough. It's inevitable, much like wrinkles. Presbyopia is typically noticed in one's 40's and the lens gradually thickens until there is no movement left at approx 60. The muscles never become weaker, just the object they're trying to move (lens) becomes thicker. if you've become more short sighted enabling you to read better unaided then either your eyes hasve grown (very unlikely) or you have the start of a cataract that is making you more short sighted.
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I have a feeling John F knows more about this than BB.
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During lockdown my vision deteriorated to the point where I’ve had to give up driving. I always said I would when the time came; in the past 20 or so years there have been two fatal accidents in my home town caused by elderly drivers who just couldn’t see properly. Far better to do the responsible thing and take the decision myself rather than have it forced upon me.
My distance vision has suffered, so driving becomes impossible because I can’t read the road far enough ahead. I took the decision a couple of months ago and within the past couple of weeks I’ve had to give up cycling too, so it’s walking or be driven everywhere by SWMBO. She is very understanding and doesn’t mind, but for me it’s a nuisance to have to book a slot in her day if I need to go somewhere beyond walking distance. If we had anything approaching a bus service, I’d apply for a bus pass, but that would be a waste of time here.
I’ve joined the Macular Society who report very encouraging progress towards curing macular disease, but I fear the eventual breakthrough will come too late to benefit me. Anybody want to buy a 66 plate A4 Avant in immaculate condition? One careful owner, FSH blah blah blah
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So sorry to hear that, Senexdriver: particularly upsetting when you've enjoyed driving.
My mum had to give up driving for the same reason: she was in her late 70s so it must have been mid-1990s. I thought more progress had been made since then, so very disappointing to hear that they can't help you. I hope all goes as well as possible for you in terms of quality of life.
Can you not have any of the treatment mentioned above in this thread?
Edited by Avant on 16/09/2020 at 11:07
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Thanks for your kind thoughts, Avant. I don’t know how much you know about AMD, but in essence there are two stages: dry, then wet. Wet is the more advanced stage when veins leak blood into the retina, but there is treatment for that - the injections in the eye. At the dry stage all they can do is monitor the situation with a view to acting quickly once it progresses to wet. I am still at the dry stage, although I suspect that the changes in my vision over the past few weeks may be symptomatic of the onset of wet. I need to contact my optometrist to get a referral to the opthalmologist, but I am naturally reluctant to take the step that leads to eye injections, even though I know they will save what is left of my vision. I know, I know...
One good thing, however, which keeps my spirits up - although nothing to do with motoring - is that I have just become a grandfather for the first time to a beautiful baby girl. She is the first girl down my branch of the family tree for three generations so she is a bit special, to say the least. My near vision is still reasonably OK, so I can at least enjoy looking at her.
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Thanks for your kind thoughts, Avant. I don’t know how much you know about AMD, but in essence there are two stages: dry, then wet. Wet is the more advanced stage when veins leak blood into the retina, but there is treatment for that - the injections in the eye. At the dry stage all they can do is monitor the situation with a view to acting quickly once it progresses to wet. I am still at the dry stage, although I suspect that the changes in my vision over the past few weeks may be symptomatic of the onset of wet. I need to contact my optometrist to get a referral to the opthalmologist, but I am naturally reluctant to take the step that leads to eye injections, even though I know they will save what is left of my vision. I know, I know...
One good thing, however, which keeps my spirits up - although nothing to do with motoring - is that I have just become a grandfather for the first time to a beautiful baby girl. She is the first girl down my branch of the family tree for three generations so she is a bit special, to say the least. My near vision is still reasonably OK, so I can at least enjoy looking at her.
After lots of nieces, a grandson 2 years ago, except for the dark hair, (i was a blondie) could have been me Sadly with various problems, (he is in switzerland with youngroverbelle mk2) I have yet to meet in person.
Senex, It is a tough decision to stop driving, and I am sure we all agree that you have acted in your best interests. Think of the money you'll save, and the odd taxi isn't too bad..
Following my episode with the bug earlier this year, I am aware of some "forgetfulness" and loss of concentration, so am keeping a wary eye on things...
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So are the DVLA still completely unaware that you suffer from macular degeneration?
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So are the DVLA still completely unaware that you suffer from macular degeneration?
It isn't reportable TILL it affects my vision and since I am being monitored on average every 8 weeks AND am regularly doing the AMSLER test, and also please kindly note that I am determoned that I personally will risk anyones life.
However, I still meet the requirements of the DVLA vision test and can read numberplates way beyond the reqired distance.
Earlier this year I had new glasses and my prescription was identical to 2017 when all this kicked off.
What others decide to do is their (and only their ) choice!
My decision is made. while I can still drive SAFELY, I will do so. If it is even suggested that i stop I will do so!
Happy Motoring all.
Oldroverboy
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You can do whatever you want, but since this is a public forum, it's important to get the information right so that other users are not mislead. What you've said isn't true. The relevant legislation governing physical fitness to drive (RTA 1988) does not make any recommendation on when to inform the SoS, neither are there conditions for informing.
To quote directly:
94 Provision of information, etc. relating to disabilities.
(1)If at any time during the period for which his licence remains in force, a licence holder becomes aware—
- (a)that he is suffering from a relevant or prospective disability which he has not previously disclosed to the Secretary of State, or
- (b)that a relevant or prospective disability from which he has at any time suffered (and which has been previously so disclosed) has become more acute since the licence was granted,
- the licence holder must forthwith notify the Secretary of State in writing of the nature and extent of his disability.
(2)The licence holder is not required to notify the Secretary of State under subsection (1) above if—
- (a)the disability is one from which he has not previously suffered, and
- (b)he has reasonable grounds for believing that the duration of the disability will not extend beyond the period of three months beginning with the date on which he first becomes aware that he suffers from it.
(3)A person who fails without reasonable excuse to notify the Secretary of State as required by subsection (1) above is guilty of an offence.
If you're involved in a bad accident and an insurance company go looking through your medical records your insurance will be void and you could be liable for fine (or worse,) prosecution.
Here, a relevant or prospective disability is one that could affect driving, or could affect driving in the future. Most medical doctors would agree that your disability falls under both categories.
“relevant disability” in relation to any person means—
- (a) any prescribed disability, and
- (b) any other disability likely to cause the driving of a vehicle by him in pursuance of a licence to be a source of danger to the public, and
“prospective disability” in relation to any person means any other disability which—
- (a) at the time of the application for the grant of a licence or, as the case may be, the material time for the purposes of the provision in which the expression is used, is not of such a kind that it is a relevant disability, but
- (b) by virtue of the intermittent or progressive nature of the disability or otherwise, may become a relevant disability in course of time.
Edited by Jamie3141 on 25/09/2020 at 22:47
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The muscles never become weaker, just the object they're trying to move (lens) becomes thicker.
Just a minor point - I think you mean 'stiffer', not 'thicker'. The lens is no thicker, the muscles can't distort it as easily.
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It was previously thought the thickness does not alter until recently, it becomes stiffer and also slightly thicker according to multiple medical journals. This is why they remove cataracts in an attempt to open up the angle for glaucoma patients
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I think that (so far) I have been lucky in that I have responded to treatment and have an eye team who say "ANYTHING" or any doubts come and see us.
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I'm coming back to this thread a bit late. Sitting here at the laptop I can look over the top of the screen, through the kitchen window, at the trees at the bottom of our garden, about 30 metres away (when it was a bit lighter 30 minutes ago) and I can pick out individual leaves and back to the screen ok, no glasses.
Why are my eyes like this at my age? - 73 - I don't know.
My dad had his vision damaged by measles when he was a nipper so he had to wear glasses all his life. My mum wore glasses for reading. Both our daughters have to wear glasses or use contacts all the time.
The only enhancement, if it can be called that, is that I have taken a daily multivitamin for the last 30 years. Could it be that? I don't know. Would I have worse vision now if I hadn't taken it over the years? Again - I don't know.
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I'm coming back to this thread a bit late. Sitting here at the laptop I can look over the top of the screen, through the kitchen window, at the trees at the bottom of our garden, about 30 metres away (when it was a bit lighter 30 minutes ago) and I can pick out individual leaves and back to the screen ok, no glasses.
Why are my eyes like this at my age? - 73 - I don't know.
My dad had his vision damaged by measles when he was a nipper so he had to wear glasses all his life. My mum wore glasses for reading. Both our daughters have to wear glasses or use contacts all the time.
The only enhancement, if it can be called that, is that I have taken a daily multivitamin for the last 30 years. Could it be that? I don't know. Would I have worse vision now if I hadn't taken it over the years? Again - I don't know.
Distance for me is ok ish...
Dr youngrovergirl is strongly in favour of supplements AND a healthy diet. I don't smoke (never had) and alcohol consumption is very moderate by uk standards
Young roverbelle 1 has reading glasses, youngroverbelle 2 nothing, but their mother Schweizerfrau 1 had coca-cola bottle glasses.
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I remember starting to take a daily vitamin supplement 30 odd years ago when I was travelling a lot, early starts - late finishes - staying in hotels 4 night a week etc.
I worked out that I didn't necessarily get a healthy diet so started taking a vitamin supplement to top up whatever nutrients I was getting.
My youngest daughter is a medical professional and she advises that extra vitamins are a good idea within reason, but don't go overboard on Vitamin D folks - it can cause problems if you take way too much over a long period.
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Latest update,
Sight checked in clinic this morning, No adverse changes, but an injection.. I seem to have got used to them and didn't feel a thing.. AND the lovely nurse held my hand to reassure me..
For anyone at this stage and potentially needing injections, even though I was initially nervous, it has all been fine and the Eye team are good.
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Very glad to hear that your condition is stable and that you're coping well with treatment.
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