Upcoming Medical Query (eyesight)

[FManc]

Hi,
I have a medical for a trainee driver role coming up soon and I just have a quick query in regards to my eyesight. I wear glasses and I think my prescription is around -5.75/-6 in both eyes (it’s been stable for about 15 years now). I remember reading the maximum limit is -8 for train driving.

My appointment form just says to bring your glasses if you wear them. Would it be advisable to obtain a copy of my prescription if I go to the opticians this week? Or will they be able to get the info they need at the medical without it?

 

[Driver2B]

Requirements include:
* distance: 6/6 using both eyes and no worse than 6/12 in the weaker eye (spectacles permitted to meet this)
* near: N8 using both eyes (spectacles permitted to meet this)
* maximum corrective lenses: hypermetropia +5, myopia -8

They ask you to bring glasses with you.

They don't ask you to bring a recent prescription with you but it's always best to be prepared, if possible! I would bring one, if it were me!

 

[Stigy]

Hi,
I have a medical for a trainee driver role coming up soon and I just have a quick query in regards to my eyesight. I wear glasses and I think my prescription is around -5.75/-6 in both eyes (it’s been stable for about 15 years now). I remember reading the maximum limit is -8 for train driving.

My appointment form just says to bring your glasses if you wear them. Would it be advisable to obtain a copy of my prescription if I go to the opticians this week? Or will they be able to get the info they need at the medical without it?

Although I shouldn’t be worrying about this as I don’t have a job offer of sorts, like you the eyesight is the main thing that’s worrying me about a medical too. I would suggest taking a copy of your prescription anyway, and have it stamped/endorsed by your optician to verify your standard of vision. The only reason I say this, is because it’s not uncommon to be referred back to the optician anyway should the TOC wish to query your level of vision. I had this done when I joined the railway 12-years ago. Although not a driver medical, I was required to hold PTS so still needed to meet the eyesight standards required. I needed new glasses, which I got, but failed with the new glasses because they were so new, plus the equipment they used to test the eyesight was so archaic

 

[FManc]

Requirements include:
* distance: 6/6 using both eyes and no worse than 6/12 in the weaker eye (spectacles permitted to meet this)
* near: N8 using both eyes (spectacles permitted to meet this)
* maximum corrective lenses: hypermetropia +5, myopia -8

They ask you to bring glasses with you.

They don't ask you to bring a recent prescription with you but it's always best to be prepared, if possible! I would bring one, if it were me!

Yeah I think I’ll book an appointment for peace of mind!

 

[heedfan]

Definitely take a copy of your prescription and get it updated if it’s fairly old - they may well want a copy for their files anyway. It’s the part I was most worried about too and I understand your anxiety. My eyesight is broadly similar to yours (-4.25/5.25) and I was absolutely fine, both with any without glasses.

 

[FManc]

Definitely take a copy of your prescription and get it updated if it’s fairly old - they may well want a copy for their files anyway. It’s the part I was most worried about too and I understand your anxiety. My eyesight is broadly similar to yours (-4.25/5.25) and I was absolutely fine, both with any without glasses.

Funnily enough I just looked at my last prescription card and it’s from April
2017 when the whole VTEC thing was going on! It was -5.5/-6 then and I remember the lady saying I would pass the required standard after the test.
I haven’t noticed a change since then but I’ve booked in for an appointment tomorrow to ease my mind and get an up-to-date prescription card.

 

[Stigy]

Can anybody advise whether the eyesight requirements differ between drivers and other safety critical roles? I know driver medicals as a whole have extra items (such as an ECG), but wondered specifically about the eyesight?

 

[221129]

Can anybody advise whether the eyesight requirements differ between drivers and other safety critical roles? I know driver medicals as a whole have extra items (such as an ECG), but wondered specifically about the eyesight?

There are differences, I'm not sure what they are but there are differences

 

[Driver2B]

Can anybody advise whether the eyesight requirements differ between drivers and other safety critical roles? I know driver medicals as a whole have extra items (such as an ECG), but wondered specifically about the eyesight?

Hi,

Unfortunately, it's hard to know without comparing a driver with a specific other safety critical role.

The over-arching guidance is here: https://www.rssb.co.uk/rgs/standards/GOGN3655 Iss 2.pdf (Live)

The standards for drivers are here: https://www.rssb.co.uk/rgs/standards/RIS-3451-TOM Iss 1.pdf (Live)
The standards for train movement (but not mainline driving) are here: https://www.rssb.co.uk/rgs/standards/RIS-3452-TOM Iss 1.pdf (Live)

I'm not sure if https://www.rssb.co.uk/railway-grou...*) OR rgsolDocumentInternalNumber:"medical*") might help you, but they don't appear to have anything up-to-date for many safety critical roles. (The guidance for both guards and drivers is available for archive purposes, but was withdrawn on 31 December 1999!)

Hope somebody else can help a little more!

 

[Stigy]

Thanks for the advice! I don’t want to hijack this thread more than I have, but figured this was kind of relevant generically. My eyes are within the parameters for driving (I’ve just had a copy of my prescription printed off), just worried about the other stuff not shown on the prescription. I guess the prescription gives an overview of nothibg else.

 

[Driver2B]

Thanks for the advice! I don’t want to hijack this thread more than I have, but figured this was kind of relevant generically. My eyes are within the parameters for driving (I’ve just had a copy of my prescription printed off), just worried about the other stuff not shown on the prescription. I guess the prescription gives an overview of nothibg else.

Absolutely! Just because you have 6/6 or even better vision in each eye unaided, it doesn't mean that occupational health at a TOC won't send you to opticians to check requirements which opticians say are completely irrelevant!

 

[FManc]

So my TOC asked me to go to the opticians before my medical just to make sure I reach the standard. I went a couple of days ago and I passed everything and the optician has signed off the paperwork. That is a massive weight off my shoulders! I wonder if I’ll still be tested at my medical next week! Not an issue eitherway.