Another eyesight

[cwjohnstone]

Hi everyone,

Sorry for another eyesight question but has anyone found out for sure about these European medicals and the eyesight requirements yet? Basically I've applied for a trainee driver position and am extremely short sighted. I'm -5.50 in both eyes, I can read the 2nd line down with both eyes without my glasses but each eye individually I can just about manage the top letter!!! Are there any fellow blindies here that have had to do a medical recently? Many thanks

 

[TheEdge]

I'm short sighted (not as bad) but as far as I know the railways are not too bothered about uncorrected vision. Its your corrected vision they are bothered about. As long as you can see to the required standard with glasses or contacts you'll be OK.

When I did my (guards) medical I was a bit worried because I couldn't do that many lines uncorrected so I "failed", as soon as I put my glasses on I did the whole board, passed with restriction if you will.

The only thing is is that you will be required to carry a second pair of glasses at all times when working.

 

[cwjohnstone]

The edge, thanks ever so much, I wear lenses and am 20/20 with them, but I have the same situation where I work now, I'm currently a petrol tanker driver so keep a pair of glasses close at all times. I've had a couple of instances driving on the M25 at rush hour and rubbed my eye and knocked my lens out! Then a mad attempt to quickly pull the other out and get glasses on ASAP

 

[455driver]

You will need to carry a spare pair of glasses with you when on duty, I think that is the only aditional requirement.

 

[Quickthorn]

It's all in here.

http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/Railway_Group_Standards/Traffic%20Operation%20and%20Management/Railway%20Group%20Standards/GORT3451%20Iss%204.pdf

New requirements are a bit more stringent. Some of the more relevant points:-

Existing drivers need corrected vision of at least 6/9 in the better eye and 6/12 in the other one (para, 2.1.6.2), and 3/60 uncorrected in each eye. New drivers or existing ones applying for the European licence need corrected vision of at least 6/6 with both eyes open and 6/12 with the weaker eye;

New requirements don't specify a requirement for uncorrected vision, but limit corrective lenses to the range -8 to +5 (Appendix A Part 3). The O.P. would be within this range;

A field of vision test is an additional test within the new requirements.

 

[cwjohnstone]

Quickthorn, many thanks for your response also, that's what I've been looking for! Does that document basically mean that they've removed the uncorrected part of the requirement? That's the only real bit I'm concerned about, I have to wear high water content lenses so require a check up every 6 months and the opticians always say my eyes are perfectly healthy (don't know how they come to that conclusion bearing in mind they don't do what they're supposed to do without assistance ) and my colour and peripheral are all fine. I'm probably in the same boat as quite a few others of passing aptitude and interview and worried about falling at the last hurdle! Speaking of aptitude, would any of the Southeastern trainees on here be a darling and tell us what aptitude tests you had to sit. Many thanks
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And thanks to you too 455 driver soon to be ex 455 driver. Just out of curiosity are you soon to be ex 455 driver because you're going to be sacked or are you moving onto bigger and better things? I very much hope it's the latter

 

[455driver]

And thanks to you too 455 driver soon to be ex 455 driver. Just out of curiosity are you soon to be ex 455 driver because you're going to be sacked or are you moving onto bigger and better things? I very much hope it's the latter

I will not dignify that with an answer!

Oh they certainly arent bigger, as for the better (I doubt that as well).

 

[TheVicLine]

I had one in January, the uncorrected part is still in the eye test.