Child with nystagmus?

[lollilou2]

Just wondering if anyone had a child with nystagmus, especially if they have a squint or hyperopia, and how they are getting on?

Today I was told my son’s vision falls below driving standards which was a blow, but I know with age things can get better or worse and it’s still very unknown.

DD’s best friend has severe nystagmus. She’s doing really well and her vision has actually improved a bit as she’s gotten older. Living independently abroad at university and studying a healthcare related degree with minimal adaptions needed. Navigating a new city wasn’t without its difficulties and the first few months were definitely challenging for her in terms of finding her way around. DD often went to visit her at weekends and would do local bus and train routes with her. It took quite a while for her to settle. The car issue is the main problem - her sight is bad enough that she’ll never be able to drive, yet since she doesn’t quite qualify as legally blind she’s not entitled to free transport or anything along those lines. It’s the main worry for her parents - they’re hoping that she’ll be able to settle in a city with good public transport and find a supportive partner to be her designated driver.

Adult with Nystagmus here

With the driving thing - I remember my consultant saying he sees people who meet the minimum standards but on the day they do an eye test for driving, they fail. I understand it's recommended as someone with nystagmus your vision is better than the minimum

I've never been anywhere near the minimum. A good day for me is 3 lines corrected

@TigerRag is that because Nystagmus gets worse when anxious? Thank you both for your help, I guess we’ll just have to wait a see but I’m sure he’ll find his way through life no matter what.

Yes. Things like stress can make nystagmus worse

Our son nystagmus. Technology has improved so much in the last 20 years. At primary school his T A needed to enlarge things for him,now his phone "speaks /reads" the messages to him. He went to mainstream school then on to uni,works full time in sports development. He got into visually impaired sport and has represented the UK in cricket and Rugby all over the world. He is married and has bought a flat . He knows the tube and bus routes round London better than I do !. His eyes do get tired after too much work on the computer. He uses a long cane when it is dark as he can not see kerbs etc but walks faster than many people. He has a full and very happy life with many friends and hobbies.

It's possible to go down the route of applying for a travel pass on the basis that she'd be refused a driving license for health reasons other than drugs and alcohol

They’ve definitely tried that to no avail, this was in NI however so probably different to the rest of the UK.