Blindness & Visual Impairment Support Group
Blindness is the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or psychological factors. This is the group to discuss living with blindness, sharing experiences, and for those that may be facing the prospect of a life without sight. Find support and answers among people who know what you're going through.
Hi - I'm new to this group, old to DS. I have light perception in my right eye, and a decreasing visual field in my left eye. Last tested I could not see from 2 o'clock t0 6 o'clock. The right eye vision loss began in December, the left eye vision loss began in February.
I've been to the docs - GP, neuro, optho, optho-neuro, etc. Everyone agrees I'm losing vision from lesions on the optic nerve that are visible on my MRI. But that isn't enoguh to diagnosis MS - I don't have a positive lumbar puncture or enough lesions in enough places.
My left eye vision is correctable to 20/25, but with the visual field loss I feel unsafe to drive. How much visual field can I lose and still legally drive - I know vision is 20/40, but no one seems to know about visual field. Also when am I considered legally blind or am I never because my vision can still be corrected?
I've been to the docs - GP, neuro, optho, optho-neuro, etc. Everyone agrees I'm losing vision from lesions on the optic nerve that are visible on my MRI. But that isn't enoguh to diagnosis MS - I don't have a positive lumbar puncture or enough lesions in enough places.
My left eye vision is correctable to 20/25, but with the visual field loss I feel unsafe to drive. How much visual field can I lose and still legally drive - I know vision is 20/40, but no one seems to know about visual field. Also when am I considered legally blind or am I never because my vision can still be corrected?
deleted_user
For driving, every state has different laws. You need to check with your DMV. Although you may be able to drive under your state laws, you still can be sued in a civil suit if you get into an accident knowing that you have your condition. Especially if your condition is documented, there may be a strong case againts you. Normally, legally blind is considered 20/200 or more with correction and less then 20 degrees field of vision.
deleted_user
In NY you may not drive if your vision is lower then 20/70, I think but like fighterfire said every state is different.
Join the Conversation
-
I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
-
My ENT sent me for more tests last week...one where they had me lie back in a chair, with blacked out goggles on so I couldn't see while they administered water into my ears one at a time ( first warm, then room-tempurature, then cold) while they video taped my eyes and asked me questions to determine how cognizant I was... This test went HORRIBLY. They were about 20 seconds or so into...
