One eyed drivers

[Beartoo]

I have lost my vision in my right eye because of a bleed due too diabetes. One day it will come back on it's own, but until then I am I safe to pull my 5 er?

Thanks
Barry

[Beartoo]

Thanks again everyone.

[wny_pat1]

It's between you, you conscience, and the doc!!! I drove tractor trailer for years with no depth perception. The doc said my brain learned to compensate for the lack of depth perception, much like one paints depth into a picture. Had no problem backing up to a loading dock without breaking anything.

[Ex-Tech]

Have been blind in my right eye since four years old.
I have never had any issues driving RVs be it a 40' MH or a 35' trailer.

[Yellowboat_]

When I was around 12 years old I lost most of my central vision in my left eye. I have learned how to compensate for the loss of depth perception.

While I was in the Army and Army Reserves I was a flight crew member on a helicopter. Part of the job, while picking up sling loads, was to inform the pilots the distance to the load or ground.

I was sent to a night vision goggle class about a year before I retired from flight duty. In that class they taught us how to compensate for the loss of depth perception. Things like observing the size of objects on the ground or the size of shadows. Yes, there are shadows at night with night vision goggles. I discovered that I was already using these techniques naturally.

As you are new to the loss of depth perception my advice is to be careful about judging depth. When backing into a space I have my wife watching, with a radio, as I back in. If my wife is not available, I stop and get out quite a few times to make sure I’m not about to back into something.

Safe travels.

JD

[Beartoo]

Saw Doc yesterday and he said it was OK if I thought I could do it. He also said I didn't need my glasses. More surgery next month.
I need to go camping.

Thanks folks

[Bumpyroad]

go for it, that's why they put in cruise controllers.
bumpy

[ksg5000]

My father had similar issue - DMV said no problem but in hindsight he had a number of accidents after he lost sight and I don't think it was coincidence. I advise caution.

[BB_TX]

There are probably far more people driving with only one eye than you would ever imagine. If you can drive fine when not towing, then try some practice drives towing and see how you feel about it.
I had retina surgery on my left eye and could not see from it for nearly two months. But I was surprised when I realized it had very little effect on my driving ability or any other daily routines.

[Bumpyroad]

In MD you only need one eye to qualify for a driver's license. don't know about any restrictions however.
bumpy

[TucsonJim]

You will experience some depth perception issues for quite a while until you get used to it. I had surgery on my left eye one time and when I tried to drive home, I had a difficult time telling how far cars were in front of me. Like the others, check with your doc. See if the doc can recommend some activities you should perform first to get used to your new vision.

[Dog_Folks]

My right eye has problems, and when I went to the DMV, they put a restriction on my license that requires a right hand rear view mirror. No big deal.

I agree with other posts. Check with your doctor.

[rovinredneck]

I have a lazy eye 20/400 uncorectable. spent 20 yrs in the service with no problems. been driving mh and trucks for 30+ yrs...Oh and if I remember correctly, Wiley Post had a glass eye.. 😄

[SwanInWA]

My FIL lost his right eye in a freak accident when he was in his 30s. He fulltimed with my MIL for 20 years. Still has an exemplary driving record at 93 years of age. One thing to remember is that with only one eye your blind spot is bigger and your depth perception is a little off. Keep that in mind and take extra care, especially when pulling out into traffic. Since you have a co-pilot, let her be your extra eyes. She probably does that already, right? :B Best of luck to you. Hope your eyesight restores itself soon.

[Poppy___Nana]

1) Check with your doctor HOWEVER

2) Had an Uncle who lost his right eye during the war - came home and drove for many. many (50+) years without any problems or accidents.

3) DH had retina deterioration and recently had surgery, after the surgery the doctor had mentioned he had little eye sight in his eye and it was amazing how he compensated (without even knowing it) for doing everything he did in his life style!

So yes it can be done, there are state legal limits for eye vision, check with the Doc and see what he/she has to say! If he/she says its ok then I would do a close to home trip to make sure I felt comfortable!