At last we have done it!
Under the "Eye Sense for your Licence" banner, members of the South African Optometric Association (SAOA) are assisting by providing free vision screenings for the renewal of drivers’ licences.
Working in close co-operation with and approved by the licensing departments and the National Department of Transport, more than 1 200 optometrists across the country providing these compulsory screenings free of charge. An official certificate will be issued with each screening, which will be accepted by the licensing departments for conversion of licence purposes.
Each certificate is watermarked to eliminate fraud by photocopying, and it is also numbered. The SAOA will therefore be able to trace each number to the optometrist to whom it was issued.
"Optometrists are the gatekeepers of vision in the country," says Gordon Burnham-King, President of the SAOA. "So while we’re giving something back to the public who support us, we’re also ensuring safety on our roads by applying professional standards during screening."
SAOA optometrists are registered with the Health Professions Council of SA and maintain the high standards set while performing the screenings, and they have the qualifications and experience to check for pathology that will not be picked up during a routine screening.
"A person might have an eye condition that will leave him without the required vision to drive in a year’s time, yet he only has to go for the screening every five years," says Mr. Burnham-King. "Optometrists are trained to pick up these symptoms, and their patients can be alerted."
"Our motto is ‘With vision in sight’," says Mr. Burnham-King. "With this campaign we believe the SAOA is helping everyone achieve the vision required to keep our roads safe - now and in the future. This is a true example of private enterprise assisting public enterprise."
If the patient cannot afford specs, remember that you can charge the Community Day prices or utilise Sight Africa to supply specs through Operation Brightsight.
Details of the free vision screenings are available from participating SAOA optometrists or the South African Optometric Association at (011) 805-4517.
WHEN COMPLETING THE CERTIFICATE, PLEASE NOTE:
By now you should have received a pack from the SAOA office to help you market the project to your patients. It should contain, amongst other things, a window poster for your practice, pamphlets to issue to the patients being screened informing them that the screening DOES NOT replace their annual vision examination, and a standard letter to your patients telling them that you do the screenings.
You should also have received numbered certificates which have a watermark to authenticate the certificate, bumper stickers, statement stickers and a laminated copy of the legal requirements (to last you for the next five years).
We have included a press release for your local newspaper carrying information that optometrists are now doing the screenings, and a statistics form. Please fax this to the SAOA office on a monthly basis, so that we can keep records.
Certificates and other promotional material can be re-ordered from the SAOA office, who will supply you at cost price.
So clear the decks, here come the new patients. Good luck!
Professional vision screening for your driver’s licence
The law stipulates that everyone renewing their driver’s licences must have their vision screened. Instead of waiting in long queues, you can have your screening conducted free of charge by an optometrist.
This project is conducted in co-operation with and approved by the licencing departments and the national Department of Transport. The screening does not replace a full eye examination. It will, however, reveal any potential problems you may have before you renew your driver’s licence.
You will receive an official certificate stating that you have had your vision screened by an optometrist. The certificate indicates the condition of your vision and will be accepted by the licencing departments.
Many people think that if they have no visual symptoms, there is no need to have their eyes examined once a year. During an eye examination, however, many early signs of potential diseases can be detected and treated before they cause serious problems, for example:
17. Regulation 241 of the Regulations is replaced with the following regulation:
"Defective vision disqualifying person from obtaining or holding a learner’s or driver’s licence
241. (1) A person shall be disqualified from obtaining or holding a learner’s or driver’s licence unless -
- in the case of an application for a learner’s or driver’s licence relating to the codes A1, A, B or EB, such person has-
- according to the Snellen rating a minimum visual acuity, with or without refractive correction, of 6/12 (20/40) for each eye, or where the visual acuity of one eye is less than 6/12 (20/40) or where one eye of the person concerned is blind, a minimum visual acuity for the other eye of 6/9 (20/30); and
- a minimum visual field of 70 degrees temporal, with or without refractive correction, in respect of each eye, or where the minimum visual field in respect of one eye is less than 70 degrees temporal, or where one eye is blind, a minimum total horizontal visual field of at least 115 degrees with or without refractive correction; or
- in the case of an application for a learner’s or driver’s licence relating to the codes C1, C, EC1 or EC, such person has -
- according to the Snellen rating a minimum visual acuity, with or without refractive correction, of 6/9 (20/30) for each eye; and
- a minimum visual field of 70 degrees temporal in respect of each eye, with or without refractive correction.
2. a) A person who is disqualified in terms of subregulation (1) may at such person’s expense approach a registered optometrist or ophthalmologist to test such person’s eyes in terms of the standards referred to in subregulation (1), and the result of such test shall, if it duly reflects the visual acuity of such person according to the Snellen rating, and his or her field of vision expressed in degrees, as contemplated in subregulation (1), be accepted by the driver’s licence testing centre.
b. If the result contemplated in paragraph (a) indicates that the person concerned is disqualified as contemplated in subregulation (1), the driver’s licence testing centre shall not issue such person with a learner’s or driver’s licence with a code to which the application of that person relates.".
Class of motor vehicle 01 A1 Motorcycle without sidecar, with engine not exceeding 125cm3 or propelled by electrical power, or vehicle having pedals and engine or electrical motor.
02 A Motorcycle without sidecar, with engine exceeding 125cm3 but not exceeding 250cm3.
15 A Motorcycle without sidecar, with engine exceeding 250cm3.
03 A Motorcycle with sidecar.
04 A Motorcycle or motor quadrucycle.
05 B Tractor.
06 B Motor vehicle propelled by electrical power.
07 B A motor vehicle, being a type of mobile agricultural or industrial equipment or machinery.
08 EB Light motor vehicle. Tare/GVM/GCM not exceeding 3 500kg.
10 EC1 Heavy motor vehicle, not articulated. Tare/GVM exceeding 3 500kg, but not exceeding 16 000kg.
11 EC Extra heavy motor vehicle, not articulated. Tare/BVM exceeding 16 000kg.
13 EC Heavy articulated motor vehicle. GCM exceeding 3 500kg, but not exceeding 25 000kg.
14 EC Extra heavy articulated motor vehicle. GCM exceeding 25 000kg.
12 B Motor vehicle specially adapted for physically disabled person.
Any member of the South African Optometric Association will conduct your free screening in compliance with official regulations and issue a signed certificate. For more information, contact your nearest optometrist.