Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Driving with monocular vision or bioptics/driving experiences? (self.Blind)
submitted by IDKthrowaway____
I had to go to a special low vision place to get my eyes checked to see if I could drive. I *barley* passed the regular vision test. My eye doctor still recommended that I try bioptic driving as well.
Here’s the problem. I have extreme anxiety about diving. However, now that I’m getting older (almost 20) I really need that independence to find a job. I haven’t been able to because Uber and Lyft are so expensive, and I’m a college student, so I’m broke. The state department of disabilities said they would pay for driving lessons, but they are also super expensive (because I have to do occupational therapy for diving—which I am totally fine with, I think that will help my anxiety.)
I haven’t had good experiences riding the bus in my college town, it isn’t very safe (I’ve been harassed about money, creepy guys starting at me.) Basically, it made me realize that I can’t rely on the bus system anymore, at least without feeling unsafe.
I guess the question is, what are your experiences with driving, what kinds of precautions did you go through/take? How do you get over the anxiety?
Here’s the problem. I have extreme anxiety about diving. However, now that I’m getting older (almost 20) I really need that independence to find a job. I haven’t been able to because Uber and Lyft are so expensive, and I’m a college student, so I’m broke. The state department of disabilities said they would pay for driving lessons, but they are also super expensive (because I have to do occupational therapy for diving—which I am totally fine with, I think that will help my anxiety.)
I haven’t had good experiences riding the bus in my college town, it isn’t very safe (I’ve been harassed about money, creepy guys starting at me.) Basically, it made me realize that I can’t rely on the bus system anymore, at least without feeling unsafe.
I guess the question is, what are your experiences with driving, what kinds of precautions did you go through/take? How do you get over the anxiety?
DrLuobo 2 points 3y ago
Monocular, with very little peripheral vision in my seeing eye (even tho my central vision with corrective lens is very good, like 20/25).
I totally understand the need for Independence, so this is probably not what you want to hear but, I just don't drive anymore. It's too unsafe for me, and for others. Public transit, or getting a ride with a friend/SO, are the best options (for me).
I am sorry to hear the public transit experience has not been good. Might your school disability office have some suggestions / offer support? They might be more helpful than the generic state disability office.
If you live near (walking or biking distance, if biking is an option) to campus, can you get a job on campus? Or are you talking more like an internship in a different city or something? If the latter, they might be able to make accommodations as long as driving isn't part of the job description (flex hours, WFH x days / week, etc.).
Ultimately, like after you graduate, you can consider looking for jobs in cities with better transit options, or where everything is walking distance. You may never actually need to drive. I don't, and rarely miss it.
I totally understand the need for Independence, so this is probably not what you want to hear but, I just don't drive anymore. It's too unsafe for me, and for others. Public transit, or getting a ride with a friend/SO, are the best options (for me).
I am sorry to hear the public transit experience has not been good. Might your school disability office have some suggestions / offer support? They might be more helpful than the generic state disability office.
If you live near (walking or biking distance, if biking is an option) to campus, can you get a job on campus? Or are you talking more like an internship in a different city or something? If the latter, they might be able to make accommodations as long as driving isn't part of the job description (flex hours, WFH x days / week, etc.).
Ultimately, like after you graduate, you can consider looking for jobs in cities with better transit options, or where everything is walking distance. You may never actually need to drive. I don't, and rarely miss it.
eversincenewyork 1 points 3y ago
Out of curiosity are you eligible to get your license through the DMV (i.e., the vision requirements for it)? I’m also monocular and have 20/30 vision in my good eye (with regular peripheral vision) but I have a lot of anxiety about driving as well, see my earlier reply.
DrLuobo 2 points 3y ago
Probably not. My peripheral vision was better 15+ years ago (I tried getting a learner's permit) and even then I could not pass their little eye exam on the counter. I could read just fine, but I couldn't see the little blinking lights on the side. The examiner basically asked me "are you *sure* you don't see any lights?" Until I said "oh, there they are" and I got my permit. I new I couldn't reasonably drive tho, and like a month later I had another eye surgery, so that was the end of that.
sarahluvsjoy 1 points 3y ago
Did your low vision specialist have you try out any bioptics? I work for the company that makes the leading bioptics (ocutech) for driving and we can send them to you LV doc for you to check out before spending any money. We just made a bioptic driving video with one of our patients who is a student at UNC in Chapel Hill and I could get you in touch with him if you wanted- he loves answering questions about bioptics and especially driving!
IDKthrowaway____ [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I’m a low partial. Basically meaning that I only have vision in one eye, and it’s almost legally blind, but not quite. Most people I’ve seen who use bioptics have two functioning eyes, which make me weary to use it. My biggest problem is my visual field and not exactly how far/clear I can see.
No, I don’t have my temps yet because my family isn’t exactly comfortable with me getting them unless I really need to. They keep saying to use Uber and Lyft, but I can’t afford that right now.
No, I don’t have my temps yet because my family isn’t exactly comfortable with me getting them unless I really need to. They keep saying to use Uber and Lyft, but I can’t afford that right now.
sarahluvsjoy 1 points 3y ago
We have tons of monocular patients!! And for driving, the field of view required for bioptic drivers varies from state to state- i’m literally compiling all the different laws now for our website and hopefully it will be up sometime next week!
Most bioptic drivers are much safer than regular drivers because they have to go through training and are aware of their limitations- they drive when conditions are safe and they feel comfortable with the route and uber/lyft if they want to go somewhere at night or an unfamiliar area- you shouldn’t rule bioptics out!!
Most bioptic drivers are much safer than regular drivers because they have to go through training and are aware of their limitations- they drive when conditions are safe and they feel comfortable with the route and uber/lyft if they want to go somewhere at night or an unfamiliar area- you shouldn’t rule bioptics out!!
eversincenewyork 1 points 3y ago
Google “adaptive drivers ed” in your area, or contact the low vision center and see if they know of anyone. I’m also monocular and have a lot of anxiety about driving. I found out about an adaptive drivers ed teacher and did an evaluation and they said I qualified for it. I did this the summer after sophomore year of college and unfortunately I didn’t pass the road test and haven’t re-learned (i’m 25 now) since I now live in a city with good public transportation and since it’s been so long I have a lot of anxiety about driving. I have a friend who’s also monocular and drives well, she took regular drivers ed and didn’t have any issues.
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