Choroidal Melanoma

PJN 

Hi Paul and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

That's great to read that you've had a great experience with your treatment so far. I haven't an enucleation but noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list where it might be seen by someone who can share their experience with you.

x

Hi,

I really appreciate your response and the intent to give my enquiry some more visibility, although I may also post in one of the other forums to see if anyone can relate to my question. Certainly sounds like you have had a rough ride in the last 6 years!

Take care

Paul

Hi, I have to wear an eye patch all the time, since my plaque treatment for choroidal melanoma a year ago, and I have sadly never been able to drive since then. It is horrible to lose the ability to drive. Did you get back to it? I know LOTS of people like us who definitely do and they are fine (I think some of them get extra mirrors, and of course parking sensors help!) It IS possible. Take care. 

Hi, about 6 months post my operation I found I was adjusting to my new view of the world and subsequently went to an optometrist and took a field of vision assessment. Whilst I was never going to achieve the score of a person with full vision, however, I achieved an acceptable score. Consequently I wrote to the DVLA with my results and received a supportive response stating my licence was still valid. Therefore, I got behind the wheel again and built up my confidence over a period of weeks in my local area and two years on I am driving long distances again. Whilst it was not a straightforward transition back to driving, it has been worth the perseverance. So all I can say is, once you have adjusted to your new vision, you should check your field of vision and then take the plunge and you will gradually gain the confidence to go further afield. My current car does have overtaking sensors and good general vision which is invaluable because I lost my right eye. So give it a go and let mt know how things go. Good luck and take care P.

Hi 1967Cand a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

Hi, thanks so much for the information and encouragement, but even though I have been a very good (!) driver for about 35 years, never had an accident, I am too scared I think now to carry on. I don't want to hurt anyone else and be blamed, I am not sure.. I might change my mind, I don't know! 

Your current reticence to get back behind the wheel is fully understandable and all I can say it’s never too late to take the first step to return. So don’t pressure yourself and give yourself time. Good luck for the future and hopefully that will include being a safe driver again. 

Thank you so much, I guess you are right, I can try in my own time, that takes the pressure off and also means my car on the driveway might not collect dust for ever!!

It is horrible being so 'house-bound' and having to rely on my daughter all the time. Also I don't like to ever go out on my own yet (even though it's been a year!) because the eye patch restricts my vision so much and I often bump into people. I don't get proper awareness of everything going on around me. I do often feel that Moorfields just see me once every 6 months and are glad when people like me (who they have left with such a plethora of life-changing problems) walk back out of their door, sadly and quietly, not knowing what is going on and what the next 6 months will hold, unable to work, unable to drive, unable to barely see, unable to be safe in the kitchen (!) and unable to go out alone. I am sure most of us feel like this, and it is tough!