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Testimonials
Ocutech Helps to Give “The Ride of A Lifetime”
Driving becomes a possibility for some
low vision patients when using
VES telescopes.
Due to cataracts and nystagmus, I have had low vision in both eyes since birth. I went to a school for the blind- where I could see well compared to many of my classmates--but to everyone else in society, I was blind. I spent most of my life going to doctors looking for a miracle cure or hoping that the prior doctor had made a terrible mistake. Neither happened. Even having my cataracts removed didn't help much.
As a child it was my dream to drive. Maybe because I didn't think that I ever could. Maybe more so when at age 16, I witnessed friends and family getting their licenses and I couldn't. As years went by, others got their licenses while I was left behind. Some shunned me because of their guilt or pity. But the absolute worst thing of my life was to dream the dream and have someone pop my bubble by reminding me that it would never happen, tell me to put it behind me and get on with the rest of my life, or make fun of me by saying that they would be crazy to allow ME to drive a car. Imagine how that felt!
“…I went from reading the big E to letters that looked like dots before…”
– L.F., VES-II bioptic telescope wearer
One day while listening to the radio I heard the DJ making a joke about someone who was almost blind being allowed to drive with the help of "bionics." THE BIONIC MAN, they laughed. But the DJ said it was a true story. So I went to the Internet, to the Virginia DMV Site, to the University Of Indiana web site, to the Ocutech Web site. I then called my eye doctor for an appointment to try “bioptics,” which can allow some people to drive. He laughed at me saying that there was no such thing and that DMV would have to be crazy to allow someone like me to drive a car. I then went back to the Ocutech Site and asked for an eye care professional near me who prescribed their devices. My search ended at Dr. David Leroux in Richmond, Va.
My corrected vision with the Ocutech VES II 4x was 20/25. Because of the nystagmus, my vision with the telescope varies from 20/20 to 20/25 depending on whether it is a good day or bad day. After a 60-day trial period wearing the telescope, I submitted the documents to DMV required for my driver’s license. The clerk looked at me in disbelief, checked the State Code, and then asked if I was ready to go for a ride.
In her vehicle, I was a passenger reading everything that she asked. Then we switched to my sister's car with me behind the wheel. We rode around the block, up and down the city streets, onto the freeway and lastly, the interstate. All in all, my driving test took 1 hour 15 minutes and covered 38 miles. When we returned to the DMV, every one of the employees asked her if I had passed. As she stated, "Without a doubt!" each would ask, "Are you sure?"
When people notice that I am seeing something that they with “normal” vision cannot, they want to try out my new invention. Maybe it is out of curiosity, but it still sparks interest- not pity- and creates awareness. Awareness helps "normal" people understand what I have been through. Suddenly in the eyes of the world I don't seem so handicapped, but just a regular guy.
Dr. Leroux told me of at least one person for whom he recommended the bioptic telescope but refused it because of being nervous about wearing it in public. We are all nervous about our appearance to others. But to choose blindness over sight because of what people might think is very sad. The only way to fix this problem is through acceptance. Acceptance comes through knowledge. And knowledge comes through success stories. That is the point of my story. Not only has the telescope enabled me to do things that I couldn't do before (read the newspaper, the telephone directory, look up into a tree to find out what kind of bird is making that noise), but the bioptic telescope changed my life because it helped me attain my dream.
I just came from Family Vision Care in Glen Allen, Va., this week for my yearly exam. Dr. Leroux was advising me of the newest telescope for 2 eyes and some new contact lenses that might help. But nothing has helped as much as the telescope that I purchased in 1999. They wanted to make minor adjustments, but I refused because it has worked flawlessly for two years after being handled by literally hundreds of people. NOW THAT'S SAYING SOMETHING! Anyway, on the way home I was thinking about things and decided that I should at least try and say THANK YOU to the people who made it possible. So THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR CHANGING MY LIFE!
- L.F., Virginia
VES-II bioptic telescope wearer since 1999
Note: Laws have changed in Virginia since L.F. was licensed to drive. At the time, any first-time applicant over the age of 21 did not have to go through driver's training. Those who passed written and driving tests were issued driver's licenses. Since, the law has been amended so that all first-time drivers must begin with a driver's permit (driving with a licensed driver) and complete drivers education during a 6-month period. At the end of the six months, individuals can apply for a license.
