Severely short sighted

[Kini85]

Just wondering if your severely shortsighted can you drive? I'm -17 in both eyes and only contacts give me good vision. Is there anyone out there who is severely shortsighted? I do suffer night blindess.

[JohnHaganMD]

Best of luck. Let me tell you that several studies have shown that myopic people have higher IQs and achieve higher academic success.

[Kini85]

Thanks Dr John Hagan

[JohnHaganMD]

It's not the glasses RX that is important it is what the vision is with the glasses or contacts on. So for instance in Missouri where I live if you can see 20/40 or better without glasses you can pass the eye part of the exam without glasses. Worse than 20/40 requires glasses or contacts. You can drive even if one eye is completely blind as long as the remaining eye meets a visual requirement. If the best corrected vision with glasses or contacts is worse than 20/60 there are a series of restrictions that are put on the license such as no night driving, no free way driving, no driving over 55 mph, no driving further than 10 miles from home. At some point if the best corrected vision is worse than 20/100 there are no provisions to grant a driver's license. These will vary from state to state. Many people with -13 can still see 20/20