What happens when Traffic Department rejects eye test by optometrist?
A listener called to say that an eye test conducted by an optometrist was not accepted when they wanted to renew their driver's license.
Picture: Pixabay
CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit speaks to Harry Rosen, CEO of the South African Optometric Association.
Listen below:
A listener called to say that an eye test conducted by an optometrist was not accepted when they wanted to renew their driver's license.
Kiewit asks: What are the standard operating procedures for having your eyes tested by a trained clinician, whereas someone operating the eye test machine at the traffic department is a technician?
"As far back as 1998, there was a relationship and arrangement established between the Department of Transport and the South African Optometric Association and the whole reason behind it is that members of the public would go to optometric practices where trained professionals would be able to assess the visual health of the public rather than unqualified persons to use an authorator... that arrangement is still in place and the certificates were developed accordingly..."
- Harry Rosen, CEO - South African Optometric Association
"... there are some of these licensing centres who become a law unto their own... The SOP or first point of call is to go to an optometric practice where a highly-skilled trained professional can go an assess the status of the eye-health or vision of the member of the public... these are screens, they're not comprehensive examinations, so there is a difference between a screening and examination... a screening is a basic assessment and the certificates are not supposed to be issued if the discretion of the practitioner suggests that the member of the public is not fit to drive."
- Harry Rosen, CEO - South African Optometric Association
Kiewit also asks: Can you fail a driver's license eye-testing screening, yet still be legally qualified behind the wheel?
"... if the result... is that the member of the public is not visually fit, then the SOP is to refer the member of the public to an optometric practice so they can have either a screening redone or go for a full comprehensive eye health examination."
- Harry Rosen, CEO - South African Optometric Association
If the member of the public undergoes a full, comprehensive eye health examination and brings along a certificate from an optometrist but gets denied by an employee at the driver's license testing centre, Rosen suggests that you can email him at: info@saoa.co.za.
Rosen says he will help raise your case with the Department of Transport or the relevant authorities in the region concerned.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.