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Driving after eye drops

A

Auldreekie

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I always arrange eye appointments on a day off and walk to and from the hospital as it is close by. Next month I have to go on a working day and take time off work. Usually I would wait a couple of hours or so after the eye drops have been administered before driving. I have tried to find from the dvla if there is any official policy on this but can't find it from the website. Can anyone advise on this?
 
I think you will find there is no official policy. The only thing I have seen is not to drive if your eyesight is impaired; not very helpful. I wouldn't drive if my vision was still blurred. You could say dilated pupils aren't so much of a problem as long as the sunlight is no longer worrying you or you have sunglasses?
 
I wouldn't drive if I was you cos if had accident bet your insurance wouldn't cover you. Can't you get a bus there? If you have to drive don't tell em cos they won't do your eyes. Take sun glasses for afterwards


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I have just come back from the eye outpatients and my letter gave information on how long to leave before driving. If anything happened that information would be considered and could invalidate your insurance. Normally I travel my cab, I know that may not be possible for a lot of people.
Good luck with your visit.


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You shouldn't drive after the dilating eye drops and they normally ask if your driving before they administer the drops, they do effect your vision even though you may not think so.
 
My appt letter suggested not to drive for a couple of hours after. Better safe than sorry. I luckily never seem to suffer with sore eyes or blurred vision after though.
 
well i was smart enough to not read the leaflet, i looked like billy no mates in the waiting room, im sitting there thinking why on earth do they need someone with them, its only an eye test, so yes i admitted to being on my own but that was the last truth that passed my lips once she said she wouldnt do the test so i had to pretend to call the wife to pick me up lol


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I dont drive after I have the drops, my vision isnt right for about 4 hours. Luckily my employer was understanding and I could work until I needed to leave and then retun the next day. I certainly wouldnt drive following the drops - too dangerous

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The retinopathy test eye drops don't bother me too much. About ten years ago though, I had an episode of macular degeneration which resulted in scar tissue at the back of my eye and distorted vision. Not the best thing for a tradesman who relies on sighting things for straight and level lol.
Anyhoo, the specialist wanted me to have photos taken of the backs of my eyes using a fluorescent dye.
They put three lots of drops in and it was strange to lose my vision a foot at a time. By the time they came for me I couldn't see more than six inches, everything else was a blur. They injected the dye while they were taking the photos - a sicky making experience that wasn't pleasant at all.
Afterwards it about four hours for my sight to return to near normal. Then I found out the dye made you look like the tango man. I was bright orange all over. Even better ( and more impressive according to my young son) was that you get rid of the dye through your kidneys and it makes your piddle fluorescent green!!!


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That's what I had, the dye was yellow and my eyes looked like they were manky so my hubby said lol plus I got some weird looks in the waiting room


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You are advised not to drive afyerwards for 2 reasons :

(A) your safety
(B) the safety of others

Why not get a taxi rather than risk harming you or others. It's a one-off and not worth chancing it in MY point of view.

Imagine if you knocked over a kid, a mom with a push-chair and old person who can't get out of the way, or frankly anybody. Be safe and either get a lift or public transport for your own piece of mind

Hope it all goes well buddy.
 
If you don't have "visual acuity of at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) measured on the Snellen scale" after having drops put in, and bearing in mind you have been told not to drive for medical reasons, the answer is no, you can't drive.
For both reasons your insurance will also be invalid, as you are driving after being restricted from doing so.

I don't as apart from the fact I can only see a few feet, I get a blinding migraine if I need the wipers on, from the flashing in front of me, as I found out the first time I was driven back. After that I came back with my eyes closed in the rain.
 
My letter says not to drive for 24 hours!!!

I often think I could drive but I do notice that things like lights look as though I've got a starburst filter on my glasses (that's pre digital all you photoshop users) so I would be very wary of driving and as others have said, if you do have an accident then your insurance is invalid.
 
Andy .

This topic is driving after eye drops .
NOT about dangerous medical advice ...

Any argument stance you wish to take with myself .
Please do so by the PM function for this .

Thanks Anna.
 

This is the OP to remind all ...

Anna .
 

Hi ya, I had this last week, and with the rest of the advice here I suggest taxi, lift etc, I couldn't focus for at least 3 hours after, and I'm an experienced glaucoma sufferer. Be safe and keep everyone safe around you. Good luck and all the best.

Kind regards

Andy


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