Eyes

[Louis the fly]

The insomnia has returned cannot sleep.

Yesterday I went to the hospital for eye tests. Parking was easy which is very unusual , the hospital was not very full so I thought I would be in and out very quickly.
When I got to eye clinic all the seats were taken , people sitting on the floor and leaning against the walls. Eventually I got a seat next to an Indian woman , we began talking and she was one of the funniest women I have ever met. She was a Sikh who had come to the U.K. as a 16 year old girl for an arranged marriage , she was now 61.
She said because of her age she had to wear cream or neutral colour clothes and sensible shoes , she wanted to wear red or gold and gold sandals but this is only for young girls . If any of her friends saw her talking to a strange man they would not approve , she had a scarf around her neck to cover her head if anyone saw her.
When it was my turn I had a series of tests with a young female optician then wait again to see a doctor. The doctor asked about the double vision problems I have , I explained that when watching football on TV the 11 men in the team become 22. He said this is why your side keeps winning. After more tests he cut out clear prisms which stick to the inside of my glasses , problems solved no more double vision. I have to go back in a few months to check if everything is still ok.
The worrying thing is he said I will have inform to the DVLA , I do not want to do this in case they stop me driving . Anyone else been in this position and what did you do ?

[Lewis McColl]

The insomnia has returned cannot sleep.

Yesterday I went to the hospital for eye tests. Parking was easy which is very unusual , the hospital was not very full so I thought I would be in and out very quickly.
When I got to eye clinic all the seats were taken , people sitting on the floor and leaning against the walls. Eventually I got a seat next to an Indian woman , we began talking and she was one of the funniest women I have ever met. She was a Sikh who had come to the U.K. as a 16 year old girl for an arranged marriage , she was now 61.
She said because of her age she had to wear cream or neutral colour clothes and sensible shoes , she wanted to wear red or gold and gold sandals but this is only for young girls . If any of her friends saw her talking to a strange man they would not approve , she had a scarf around her neck to cover her head if anyone saw her.
When it was my turn I had a series of tests with a young female optician then wait again to see a doctor. The doctor asked about the double vision problems I have , I explained that when watching football on TV the 11 men in the team become 22. He said this is why your side keeps winning. After more tests he cut out clear prisms which stick to the inside of my glasses , problems solved no more double vision. I have to go back in a few months to check if everything is still ok.
The worrying thing is he said I will have inform to the DVLA , I do not want to do this in case they stop me driving . Anyone else been in this position and what did you do ?

A difficult one to answer, but what if you had an accident and the insurance company find out you have eye problems they may invalidate your cover and you may find yourself with a hefty 3rd party claim against you. A word with your GP perhaps and get a fitness to drive certificate (if there is such thing?) If the doctor finds you unfit to drive though I think he may be legally obliged to inform the DVLA. It is down to you but in all honesty you must know yourself if you are fit to drive or not. It will be hard if you have to stop as it means losing a lot of your independence, Could you live with yourself though if you knocked a child down or injured some other individual. I hope it is a choice I will not have to make for many years to come. Hopefully all goes well for you and further test prove to be good.

[Keith Tindell]

As i am 76 years old i have to make a declaration every 3 years as to my fitness to drive, a few years back i had a very bad detached retina, and lost 60% vision in that eye. I go to the optician every 6 months for an eye sight test, and she reassures me that i have good enough vision to drive. So thats what i would do, the optician will state if your eye sight is good enough. best of luck, we would all be lost when not able to drive, but will happen to all of us, one time, kt

[Captain Kong]

I am 82 next week and eye sight fairly good, Distance OK and only use glasses for reading Small print.
Just renewed my licence last month.
I would hate to lose my licence.
But maybe a taxi would be cheaper than owning a car.

Just renewed my Insurance, the Charges were ridiculous. a 12 year old KIA worth about £500 , I do 3,000 miles a year, anything from Saga £1,200 to over £2,000 with many others. I noticed that Insurance now includes 90 days driving in Europe, compulsory, I said never been there for 25 years and only then because I had to take a ship there. `Makes no difference,` So I asked if I Had to go to Europe every year, if so I would pack in driving as I could not think of anything worse.

So after One month I finally got Hastings AT £672.
With Road Tax at £230 then a Service and MOT, it cost me £20 a week just to leave it in my garage.
So just hire a car for the occaisioal long distance and a taxi to do the shopping should work out cheaper than owning a car.
Brian

[Keith Tindell]

One part of your post completely out of touch Brian, try hiring a car at your age, there is an age restriction at 75, so even if you could hire one at your age, it would cost the same as a years insurance. They've got us all ways mate. I only found this out when i went to book a holiday in Ireland, thinking i could hire a car the other end. Old age aint nice, kt

[Captain Kong]

I didn't know that Keith, thanks for telling me.
I will have to get one of those invalid scooters,
Cheers
Brian

[vic mcclymont]

Louis, check with the doctor / consultant if you are fit to drive. As an earlier post stated if you don't and they have deemed you unfit and you continue to drive your insurance is null and void.
I was called into see the eye consultant, have had at least three examinations in the past year, one more go. I asked him if I have to inform the insurance company,his reply you are only having an examination, and that there was no need to inform anyone including DVLA.
I am not sure if you have a serious prob. If the doctor informs DVLA as a matter of course, best to be safe rather than sorry.
Regards
Vic

[Lewis McColl]

Brian , I may be telling you how to suck eggs here, but I never stay with any insurance for more than two years, my view is they show me no loyalty because they never bring a premium down year on year they go up. I always play the internet search and usually get either cheaper or less than my new quote.
Having been away from the UK now for nearly 5 years is it compulsory to have a medical check up after you turn 65?for to renew your driving licence as they do have to be renewed every 10 years now. When I went to Spain to get a Spanish Licence you have to take a medical. I was only 63 at the time and my wife also had to have a medical and she is 9 years younger than me. To be honest it was a joke €60 for blood pressure test , eye test and a computer test to check reaction times on a rolling road type thing. It did not matter if you hit everything just as long as you did react.
I still ride motorcycles and I am dreading my next renewal as year on year the hike is starting to price me out.
As you say not fun getting older and I am only a pup compared to some on here.
I insure nothing through SAGA as they play the game that they are the best for Seniors, not saying they are not good but equal cover can be had by other providers.
Hope all goes well for my name sake L the Fly.

[gray_marian]

#6,''I will have to get one of those invalid scooters,''......Bolton Beware

[vic mcclymont]

Still have to have insurance for an invalid scooter
Regards
Vic