Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Low vision driving (20/60). (self.Blind)
submitted by [deleted]
[deleted]
Namrakk 2 points 6y ago
I have 20/90 vision (and really bad contrast + light sensitivity) and just did a trip from Dallas to Chicago. Perfect vision is only one of many factors. Plenty of regular drivers have bad judgment, poor spatial awareness, and road rage. Also, many states allow residents to drive even with 20/70 vision. It's going to be difficult, but it's not impossible to drive with 20/60 vision.
I'm sure you've developed adaptive techniques to help you with other activities. The same can be done with driving
I'm sure you've developed adaptive techniques to help you with other activities. The same can be done with driving
[deleted] [OP] 2 points 6y ago
[deleted]
LibraryGeek 5 points 6y ago
You are correct. My state's laws are that 20/60 is the cut off for daytime driving. (no nighttime driving at that level). I learned this the last time I went to the DMV to get an ID (knowing I wouldn't pass the test, I still tried it for the hell of it and the agent told me that 20/60 was the cut off). I too had a licence from when I was 20/60. But, I only drove locally in daylight and stopped when my vision got worse. (combo of my own sense and my family's request). I have limited neck movement and limited field of vision (one eye legally blind with a *very* small field and one eye impaired with a bigger but smaller than normal field of vision) which caused me to stop driving before I actually turned in my license. So, you do have to consider other factors (It was just like...giving up hope when I had to turn it over).
[deleted] [OP] 2 points 6y ago
[deleted]
Namrakk 0 points 6y ago
Yes 20/90 corrected with glasses. I got my license when my eyes were around 20/50. Lane markers are big enough to see even with low vision and I memorize street names/use turn by turn nav to get around
[deleted] [OP] 5 points 6y ago
[deleted]
-shacklebolt- 4 points 6y ago
Okay, that's not right. What you're talking about, it's probably not legal for you to be driving without bioptics and might not be legal for you to drive at all.
If you can't honestly currently pass a vision test for driving (either as is or with bioptics), you shouldn't be.
If you can't honestly currently pass a vision test for driving (either as is or with bioptics), you shouldn't be.
Namrakk 0 points 6y ago
It is much more nuanced than this. Pm if you wanna discuss further
snow671 2 points 6y ago
IIRC, lane markers won't be easy to see if the roads are old or not well maintained. Also what about driving in certain weather conditions like fog, rain, or dust storms? They can be unexpected.
Maybe I'm being paranoid but with driving I think you're better off safe than sorry.
Maybe I'm being paranoid but with driving I think you're better off safe than sorry.
-shacklebolt- 1 points 6y ago
I don't drive, but at 20/60 if you get the clearance from your eye doctor why not give it a try, especially if your vision has been stable for a while now (and so you could expect to drive for years to come.) You are also substantially older than when you last tried it, and might have more confidence with practice this time around.
That said, if you choose not to drive I totally get that too. But why is that a reason not to go out? You mention struggling to be able to afford to go out places, but a car is also very expensive to own and maintain (and getting a good bioptic system isn't typically cheap, either.)
Is uber or lyft (or especially uber pool and lyft line) an option where you live? They are typically way more affordable (and convenient) than cabs. What is public transit like, are you somewhere rural? Are there any paratransit services in your area?
Unless you live in the middle of nowhere, there is often an option for being able to get to all the places you want to go without being able to drive. If there isn't, it's probably in your best interest (if you decide you don't feel safe to drive) to make living somewhere that is a priority in terms of goals.
That said, if you choose not to drive I totally get that too. But why is that a reason not to go out? You mention struggling to be able to afford to go out places, but a car is also very expensive to own and maintain (and getting a good bioptic system isn't typically cheap, either.)
Is uber or lyft (or especially uber pool and lyft line) an option where you live? They are typically way more affordable (and convenient) than cabs. What is public transit like, are you somewhere rural? Are there any paratransit services in your area?
Unless you live in the middle of nowhere, there is often an option for being able to get to all the places you want to go without being able to drive. If there isn't, it's probably in your best interest (if you decide you don't feel safe to drive) to make living somewhere that is a priority in terms of goals.
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