Want to be a new driver, Vision question

60 y/o retired firefighter. Bored, want to go roam the US.
I had Lasik 2 years ago. Went with the monocular vision. Distance vision in right eye, reading in the left.

Now I find out I have to have 20/40 minimum in both eyes. No problems, get driving glasses to bring the left eye up to spec.

But apparently there is a problem with having "monocular" vision.

Anyone else have this problem with their test? I may not be able to get a Med card because of it.

Otherwise I'll have to get a vision waiver, i guess. Anyone ever go that route? Apparently you can get a waiver for losing an eye, but having glasses to bring one eye in to specs is a no-no.


Any advise?

 

It depends on the state you are from. Check and make sure that your state even DOES waivers.

 

It depends on the state. Some states will give out 3 month cards for certain vision restrictions I believe.

 

Do you have a regular drivers license today? If so can you see to drive? Do you have normal depth perception? The medical rules allow for "corrective vision". This is easy to see about. Go take a physical, if you get a card your OK. I suspect you are not seeing true "monocular" vision. Before I had my cataract surgery I had vision problems in both eyes. I used a regular contact in my left eye and a trifocal contact in my right eye. Did almost what you are describing. I had 20 20 corrected vision and had normal depth vision.

 

Interesting, a friend of mine started thinking about getting his CDL and go team with me. He has a lazy eye and was considered blind in that eye at one point, he was able to get his 2 year and his permit (glasses required when driving)

 

If your vision is corrected to 20/40 with or without glasses then that's all there is to it as long you have TWO EYES. You will not be driving a 18 wheeler on one eye only.

I also had cataract surgery which involved replacing the burnt lenses with the new artificial fixed one. I use trifocal in both eyes with glasses. Middle focal distance is 24 inches which happens to be the front sight of my handgun. lol among other useful things. At some point in the future I will have to have the other eye done.

The words you are probably seeking is called "Depth perception" if you have that plus the ability to discriminate pattern and colors (Number cards) you are good to go. Otherwise you will be told you aint getting a DOT medical or worse a 90 day one that requires you to fix the root cause of why you got it within 3 months. And show that it's fixed before the end of that time period.

Everyone's situation is different. Because so and so had a 2 year on such a such or any of a thousand permutations of vision problems possible in life... that does not mean your situation is the same.

I hope you are happy with the lasik that was done to you. Once you start burning out a lenses to a custom view you cannot go back or do over. I myself don't believe in them. There is too much risk of the body mobilizing defensive mechanisms that will heal it in ways which will interfere with the success of that operation.

 

Worst case scenario, you get glasses to correct the nearsighted eye.

 

Yeah I have a bit of advice, don't say a word. Get an eye exam, get a pair of glasses from a cheap place, go get your physical at a clinic where the MA just has you stand and read the chart.

 

That's the best advice! The eye test for a DOT physical is very simple; the doctor doesn't lay you on a table and examine your eyes, as if he's an ophthalmologist, so don't give him reason to get inquisitive.

 

There are exceptions, I had one on my last physical, the nurse who gave it was really not messing around, it took 10 minutes for the eyes alone even gave me a really good peripheral vision test.

BUT I bet he will not find someone like her, most of the times these clinics as you know are mills, just churning out the physicals.