Can you drive with one eye?

Deep · 26 Jul 2011 at 10:05

This morning on the M25 I saw a guy wearing an eyepatch driving :confused:

Are you legally allowed to drive with one eye?

Mr Jack · 26 Jul 2011 at 10:10

Phoen1x · 26 Jul 2011 at 10:15

I am almost legally blind in my left eye (Had a vein explode in there in my late teens leaving a scar across the centre that I can't see through) and I can drive fine

I tend to be very cautious when driving along and gaining on another car as my perception of the rate of closing isn't as good as someone with two fully functional eyes, but it's by no means dangerous.

mistercrabb · 26 Jul 2011 at 10:18

Yes, you still have 3d vision with one eye (though perception is reduced).

Rilot · 26 Jul 2011 at 10:26

This is an interesting one. You can drive with one eye, but you cannot drive if you have double vision, even if you cover one eye.

This is an issue that affects me due to my MS.

Skidder · 26 Jul 2011 at 10:28

You can. My mother in law is blind in one eye and is a keen (if utterly terrifying) driver.

loltim · 26 Jul 2011 at 10:33

didn't think you could judge distances using one eye.

Phoen1x · 26 Jul 2011 at 10:34

loltim said:
didn't think you could judge distances using one eye.

It's not as good certainly (By some margin I bet), but I can still judge distances. It's an experience thing as much as anything I guess.

kidloco · 26 Jul 2011 at 10:35

Yes, my sis is blind in one eye and she drives supprising well for a woman

loltim · 26 Jul 2011 at 10:37

Phoen1x said:
It's not as good certainly (By some margin I bet), but I can still judge distances. It's an experience thing as much as anything I guess.

yeah, as a quick test, I tried meeting the tips of my index fingers together, first using 1 eye.. then with 2. Interesting results

Skidder · 26 Jul 2011 at 10:37

loltim said:
didn't think you could judge distances using one eye.

Skidder said:
utterly terrifying

Deep · 26 Jul 2011 at 10:38

loltim said:
didn't think you could judge distances using one eye.

That was exactly what I thought.

I suppose its good to know that you can legally drive and a bit unnerving

Mr Jack · 26 Jul 2011 at 10:38

loltim said:
didn't think you could judge distances using one eye.

This is a popular myth. And one that's mindbogglingly simple to disprove: shut one eye, observe.

Stereoscopic vision gives you a rapid means of judging distances, useful for fast moving objects but you can judge distance based on a whole load of other clues (object size, etc.) which are actually more significant in depth perception.

cyclops12 · 26 Jul 2011 at 10:41

mistercrabb said:
Yes, you still have 3d vision with one eye (though perception is reduced).

Long time ago now but when i lost an eye the doc told me that's what you loose.

Maccapacca · 26 Jul 2011 at 10:48

Only when drunk

Sagalout · 26 Jul 2011 at 10:48

loltim said:
didn't think you could judge distances using one eye.

They still let women drive

Peerzy · 26 Jul 2011 at 10:59

My granddad got blurry vision the other day and went to the doctor, they told him he could still drive, although when it's really bad he uses one hand to cover 1 eye and it's much easier to see apparently. He's 87 and isn't the best driver anyway.

I just lol'd, but if the doctor has done all the tests and still thinks it's fine not much you can say/do.

paddy · 26 Jul 2011 at 11:07

Without stereo matching (e.g. with only 1 eye) your brain relies on monocular depth cues to judge distance - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_perception#Monocular_cues

I know a guy with 2 fully functioning eyes but his brain doesn't process depth correctly, so he has no stereo vision, he can drive fine.

woodpigeon4 · 26 Jul 2011 at 11:24

A relative of mine is a totally blind in one eye and holds down a job as a lorry driver. Then again, that is in ireland..... :rolleyes:

Sp00n · 26 Jul 2011 at 11:25

Depth perception will become a challenge but I'm sure your brain just adjusts to it.

Can you drive with one eye?

Tea Drinker