Vision Test for Texas Drivers License

[RickO]

We're nearly done becoming "Real Texans" via the Escapees club and I wanted to just raise a flag for those few people who might share the problem I am facing.

Getting a Texas DL doesn't require a driving or written test (unless you need the non-comercial class B like I do) but it does require an eye test.

Five years ago I had laser surgery to put my eyes in a "mono vision" condition. This means that one eye was set for reading and the other for distance. After an adjustment period, the brain sorts out which eye to use for the task at hand and I've been very happy with the results.

Unfortunately, the eye test required for the DL just won't acommodate mono vision and they failed me because my reading eye couldn't pass their test for distance vision. Keep in mind that if I were completely blind in that eye, it would be ok but since I have sight in it the eye has to pass the test.

I'm sure this is not unique to Texas. What I need to do now is to see a local eye doctor for an eye exam and they have to fill out forms indicating that I can drive without the need for corrective lenses. This means I've had to hang around waiting for an appointment and then go back to DMV and schedule my driving test in my coach. I've already passed the written test.

Just a heads up for anyone else who's had this proceedure and is contemplating getting a new license. I could have brought documentation and a statement from my own doctor but I'm now 1500 miles away and he hasn't seen me for 4 years so that wouldn't work.

[Wayne M]

Rick,
You have to pick up the form at the DMV. My eye doctor did not have it.
Check ahead of time.
Good luck.

[RickO]

Good point, Wayne. I failed to mention that. The lady in the DMV office indicated that a written statement from my Dr would suffice but since I was there I got the form from her.

[LindaH]

I would imagine you'd run into the same situation in any state that requires a vision test before getting a driver's license (and we've never lived in any state that doesn't), so this would not be unique to Texas.

[Barbaraok]

You can get the vision form online at the Texas DMV site. I would venture to say that anyone who has had any eye problems would be advised to get one and have your eyes tested before going in (Dave had a vein collapsed in one eye, he has peripheral vision only in that eye) - and that is true if you also have progressive bifocals. The 'machine' they use for the eye tests don't allow you to move your head around, which sometimes is necessary with at least my progressives.

Barb

[JoeT]

Bummer. But out of curiosity, have you lost your depth perception with this arrangement?

[RickO]

Ok, just completed my eye exam and took the form back to DMV/DPS and all is well with my driving test scheduled for Monday. The Dr said she gets a lot of these. $78 and 15 min is what it cost.

As for the depth perception question, it's a good one. Theoretically, one does loose depth perception with mono vision. However, I was a low single digit handicap golfer (ie: I played pretty well) before the surgery and noticed no significant difference... playing as well after the surgery as before. I think it kind of ticked off my Dr who is also a golfer and needs to use glasses to negate the mono vision when he plays golf so I guess it's an individual thing.

I think the more analytical your mind, the more difficulty you have adjusting. My wife had the same surgery and never missed a beat but it took me months before I was no longer concious of the difference in the two eyes.

[Wayne M]

Rick,
I'll be your left eye is the dominant one and allows you to play golf without glasses?

Thanks for the update.

[Elkhartjim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M Rick, I'll be your left eye is the dominant one and allows you to play golf without glasses? Thanks for the update.

What if he's left handed?

[RickO]

You know Wayne, that would make sense but it's the right eye that's dominant. Then again, nothing ever made sense about my golf game.

[mrschwarz]

If I get monovision, will my golf game improve?

[golden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickO Ok, just completed my eye exam and took the form back to DMV/DPS and all is well with my driving test scheduled for Monday. The Dr said she gets a lot of these. $78 and 15 min is what it cost. As for the depth perception question, it's a good one. Theoretically, one does loose depth perception with mono vision. However, I was a low single digit handicap golfer (ie: I played pretty well) before the surgery and noticed no significant difference... playing as well after the surgery as before. I think it kind of ticked off my Dr who is also a golfer and needs to use glasses to negate the mono vision when he plays golf so I guess it's an individual thing. I think the more analytical your mind, the more difficulty you have adjusting. My wife had the same surgery and never missed a beat but it took me months before I was no longer concious of the difference in the two eyes.

I was worried about going off-thread with this but have noticed that it really isn't, so I'll go forward with my question. I, too, am a single digit handicapper and have been for over 55 years. However, with age comes problems and one of the biggest is not being able to follow the ball in flight and where it lands. I use reading glasses only and my vision is 20/20. I'm not sure whether I'd be a candidate for Lasic surgery or if it would be worth it. Do you, as a golfer, have an opinion on this?

FWIW, we're glad to have you here (in Texas), but you ain't no real Texan! Like many states, only the native born folks can make that claim.

[RickO]

Hi Denny... you're right about not being a "Real Texan". I'm just being a little tounge in cheek and borrowing from the title of the booklet produced by Escapees. I'm actually a native San Franciscan. There's quite a difference.

I got mono vision because I was tired of having to carry around reading glasses AND my distance vision was starting to slip just a bit. It took me a little time to adjust but I am certainly pleased with the result.

As for helping you track the ball in flight, I'm not so sure. I don't see how mono vision would help with that. There is now another proceedure which as become pretty popular called Crystalense (sp?). It's still quite expensive (~$15K est) but it allows each eye to adjust focal lengths so each eye can see close and far. But, if you're already 20/20 for distance I'm not sure what this would do either.

Maybe you should just focus on taking money from yonger guys who can help you track your shots.

[golden]

Rick,

Thanks for the info and advice. I think I'll just continue to let the aging process take it's natural toll and be thankful for what I still have. I would love to take your advice about taking money from the younger guys but I live in a community where we ALL are geezers. Young to us would be early 60s! Anyway, thanks again and keep 'em on the fairways and greens!

Denny