Indicative vision test (2024)

FAQs

Can I drive if I fail a field vision test? ›

If a patient fails the visual field test, their eye doctor may recommend certain restrictions, such as daylight driving only, driving only below a certain speed, or driving only in a set radius around their home.

There are three different types of eye exams, including a comprehensive eye exam, a routine eye exam, and a contact lens exam. Depending on when your last appointment was and the kind of vision correction you need, the optometrist may use a different exam.

Having 20/20 vision means you have normal or average, vision. Some people have vision that's better than 20/20, like 20/15 vision or 20/10 vision. This means that you can see something 20 feet away (like a line on an eye chart) that most people can see when they're 15 feet away (20/15) or 10 feet away (20/10).

Although 20/40 vision is less acute than average, that doesn't mean you should think of it as “bad.” Someone with 20/40 vision just wouldn't be able to see clearly at quite as far of a distance as someone with “normal” vision.

Visual Acuity

All drivers are required to have the best possible vision. A minimum of 20/70 in either eye, or both eyes together may pass with or without corrective lenses if vision cannot be improved; however, if one eye is blind or 20/200 or worse, the other eye must be 20/40 or better.

Visual field loss in one eye is usually caused by a condition affecting the eye or the optic nerve, like multiple sclerosis or a tumor affecting the eye. Visual field loss in both eyes that is unequal usually means there is a disease process affecting the eyes, like diabetes or glaucoma.

A 'sight test' is just one part of a more comprehensive 'eye examination'. An eye examination is a series of tests performed by an ophthalmologist (medical doctor), or an optometrist, assessing vision and ability to focus on and discern objects, as well as other tests and examinations pertaining to the eyes.

During a comprehensive eye exam, your ophthalmologist will assess much more than your visual acuity. He or she will test for common eye diseases, assess how your eyes work together and evaluate the health of your retina, optic nerve and retinal blood vessels.

In fact, they can even spot brain tumours before there are any noticeable symptoms, making routine eye tests a good choice if possible. During an eye test, an optician can identify a brain tumour by either noticing a swelling of the optic disc or seeing pressure on the optic nerve.

To pass the distance and near acuity portion of the screening, adults must be able to read three of the five letters on the 20/40 line. Any score worse than 20/40 falls under “Do Not Pass” (ex. 20/50). Any subject with a failing score should be referred.

Is 75 eyesight bad? ›

When discussing eyesight, the term “0.75 eyesight” often arises, referring to a mild level of myopia. Individuals with a prescription of -0.75 diopters face challenges with distant vision but may still function relatively well without correction.

20/20 vision is referred to as the standard, or how a “normal” person sees. This means, that when you stand 20 feet away from an eye chart, you see what the normal person should see. The American Optometric Association states that a person with 20/20 vision can clearly identify a row of 9mm letters from 20 feet.

In general, bad eyesight refers to any vision less than 20/20. This is a general standard followed by most optometrists—any vision different than this often needs some kind of vision correction to clearly see the world and safely navigate the environment.

If you have 20/40 vision, it means that you can details at 20 feet that someone with “normal” vision could see at a distance of 40 feet. To drive unrestricted, you must either have 20/40 vision in both eyes, or 20/40 vision in one eye and 20/70 vision (or better) in your other eye.

Not surprisingly, many people with 30/30 vision are able to see well enough to live without glasses or contacts. However, there are some circ*mstances, such as while driving or engaging in activities that require precise distance vision, when glasses may be helpful for people with 20/30 vision.

Visual field required to drive a car? If you have a significant visual field loss with both eyes open, you cannot drive. degrees of this being to each side. No significant visual field defect in the central 20-degree area.

During this test we use eye-drops to dilate (open) the pupil – the drops can cause blurring of vision for a few hours, and it can take up to 24 hours for the effects of the drops to wear off. Therefore we advise that you do not drive yourself home from the eye clinic.

Anytime you're driving

Just like on the practical test, failing this eyesight test will cause your licence to be revoked.

You must not have been told by a doctor or optician that your eyesight is currently worse than 6/12 (decimal 0.5) on the Snellen scale. If you are in any doubt, you should discuss with your optician or doctor. If required, you may wear glasses or corrective lenses to meet both of these standards.