When it comes to driving with monocular vision, there is good news and bad news.
The bad news is that your blind eye will be a factor in your driving. No getting around it. You’ll have to deal with depth perception issues and a smaller field of vision. I’ve been in two accidents in my life where I suspect my blind eye may have played a role.
The good news is that you can compensate enough to be a good driver. I’ve got friends of mine with perfect eyesight in both eyes who have more accidents than I do. Why? Because I do some things to make myself a better driver that they don’t … because they don’t think they have to. They’re not complicated things, either.
Here are a few of them.
Don’t use your phone while driving
Seriously. Just don’t. Even people with perfect vision shouldn’t do this, but when you’re blind in one eye, you don’t have the benefit of peripheral vision while your dominant eye is focused on the screen. Keep the phone out of sight while you drive.
I do sometimes use a GPS mounted on a windshield, but I have to be careful that I’m keeping my primary focus on the road. When in doubt, don’t. (More on how to use GPS below.)
Use landmarks (and maybe a head shake) to judge distance
For the most part, depth perception isn’t a huge problem for me on the road. Since two eyes aren’t much better than one at distance beyond 20 feet, it’s the close-up stuff that’s more of a pain: parking in a tight space, for example. At distance, I use what most binocular drivers use … landmarks, road stripes, and other small visual cues to judge distance.
When I do need to judge distance, one other thing I sometimes do is move my head a little left to right. This creates a bit of natural parallax between the two points, helping me judge distance.
Make full use of your copilot if you have one
Whether it’s a friend or my wife, I’m not afraid to put the person riding shotgun to use. If traffic is busy and I have to merge, I might ask them to spot for me, or look in directions I can’t. “Spot for me,” I might say. “I’ll focus on what’s in front, and you tell me when to merge.” One of my accidents came while head checking to my left just as the car in front of me slammed on the brakes, so having someone else do the head check for me while I keep my eye on point is ideal.
I may also have them spot distance if I have to pull into a tight spot. Beats hitting a car in a parking lot.
I’m also not afraid to have them help me navigate by asking them to look for signs or to consult the GPS map. In fact, in some instances I even give up the driver’s seat. My wife is a decent driver (and a really wonderful person) but she would be the first to admit that I’m a better navigator. There are instances where I let her do the driving and I tell her what to do. Because I look over routes ahead of time, I put her at ease and our driving experience is better for it.
And if you don’t have a copilot …
Research your route (and bring along some technological help)
This sounds like common sense that could apply to anyone, even people with good vision, but the fewer variables I have to deal with, the better. If I’m headed, say, into a busy urban area, I’ll pull up Google Maps Street View to see what my exit looks like, and maybe look at other interchanges or turns I have to make.
Then when I’m driving, I use a GPS’s voice navigation to help me. My favorite is the Google Maps app, because the voice directions are pretty specific (“Use the left two lanes to turn south on Highway 48”) but Waze has decent traffic conditions and is also good, especially for commutes. Whether you leave the visual map on is a matter of taste; I prefer to go without it most of the time so I don’t have as many visual distractions, but that’s up to you.
Pick an easy-to-exit parking spot
Parking lots can be a hazard for a monocular driver. Aside from sometimes having to squeeze into a tight spot, getting out can be just as much of a pain. When you back out of a parking spot, for example, you have to deal with potentially cars coming from (1) your left, (2) your right, and (3) any of the parking spots behind you. That’s a lot to watch for when you’ve only got one eye to work with. I know; one of my accidents involved hitting a person while I was backing out of a parking spot. Although the other person was partly at fault (they were going the wrong way on a one-way parking lot lane) I learned from the experience. Now I’m more strategic when I park.
Here are my preferred parking spots, in order:
- Pull-through. I try to pull through into a parking spot when I can. Driving out of a pull-through spot is as easy as making a left or right turn. If you’re skilled at backing into a spot (I’m not), you could also do that.
- Spots that aren’t across from other spots. When that’s not an option, I look for parking spots that aren’t opposite other parking spots. Then I don’t have to worry about cars backing out in addition to cross traffic.
- Spots off the main arteries. Spots that aren’t in the primary aisles of a parking lot are nice because the risk of cross traffic is lower. I still have a lot to look for, but the risk is lower.
It’s even better if there are no cars on either side of me when I park, and no big vans parked next to me blocking my field of vision when I leave.
Bonus tip: if you find yourself in a complicated parking situation, like a campground where you have to back up around trees, get out and walk around a bit to gather things in from multiple angles. Your brain will have a much better idea of what to do when you leave. I recently found myself in a tight parking spot in a partially wooded road near a rural cabin; I got out, looked around, planned my exit, and it went off flawlessly. Getting out and taking things in can really help.
Use blind-spot mirrors
While most right-side mirrors on new cars are designed to help with blind spots, it’s nice to have extra visibility on both sides, especially on your blind side. You can find small blind-spot mirrors for pretty cheap, and they add visibility on your car’s sides.
Think about your car
I’ve driven many different types of vehicles — cars, trucks, minivans, station wagons — so I think it’s possible to get by on a lot of them even with monocular vision. (A friend of mine with monocular vision even pulls a camper. He’s braver than me.) I’ve found that smaller vehicles with good visibility are good, but I’ve also found it easier when sitting up at a “command position,” or higher up where you can better see lane markers, especially in bad weather. So for me a small SUV is one of my preferred vehicles, although small sedans are fine, too.
Also, a lot of new cars have great safety and assistance features that can be great for a monocular driver. If you have the money, they’re worth checking out.
Any suggestions of your own? Share away in the comments.
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hola mi consulta es si las personas monoculares pueden manejar moto y si hay algun tipo de adaptacion.
Muchas gracias.
federico perez seeber
A person with monocular vision can drive motorcycles. You have to be careful, but yes, it can be done.
Hey, im just starting to get lesson on drive, actually i only had 1 driving lesson so far and i also only see with 1 eye, i feel like crying because is SO hard, i dont know if i can do it but i really enjoyed your article.
Learning to drive is hard even with two eyes, but yes, it’s hard with just one. But don’t give up. Keep practicing, and each time you’ll get better. I know because I’ve done it, and so have others I know who are blind in one eye.
same here… its not that difficult… I have my right eye lazy…no probs at all..but need to be careful
Ive had an eye removed last week due to canceland Imscared to think that I cant drive again, Im not confident to consider it yet but hope that my confidence will return as this is so new to me.
Keep hope! Thousands of people every day drive with only vision in one eye. I do. A friend of mine, who also lost her eye to cancer, drives all over the place every day. So it can be done.
Thank you Josh. I drove my car today and I was pleasantly surprised with how it went. I think I will need to get used to parking but will take it steady.
great..thanks
Which state l can drive with one eye.thanks for the answer.
Hi Sallah I’m not sure what state you can drive but I have been driving since loosing my eye to cancer in June. I have been driving and I recommend extra mirrors wherever possible. Also parking sensors are a good idea. I have Alot of up and down moments but things could be Alot worse for us both. Good luck with your life and take thinks steady you will get better with things in time.
Been driving 60years with blind left eye. Right turns are my only problem. Wish I could find something to help with that.
I found this article interesting for a number of reasons and what I have to say will be of particular interest to those just starting to drive, or just lost the sight of an eye. I have read several articles on the internet and most if not all address those who have lost an eye while they have a licence.
I lost my right eye at a School accident when I was 15. at 18 I purchased a motor bike which I did many thousands of miles on for 5 years with mirrors on both sides it was never a problem. I then moved to a car making my total on the road years 65 and I have never had an accident. I am 84 and have an eye test every year, I do this which seems a reasonable thing to do. that said I do not have to have a test to tell me if I am within the Law as I measure out 20 yards, and I can read a number plate well beyond that distance.
I do not advertise my condition to anyone as I found out before I went on the road that many people with 2 eyes seem to know more about it than me, all sorts of opinions were voiced and some seem to think one is some kind of freak.
I note that the writer of the article said he has had 2 accidents which MAY have been related to his condition, I don’t know but it may have had nothing to do with it, was he in the right place at the right speed. I find that most drivers tale-gate which I do not understand – driving a cars length behind a Truck at all sorts of speeds and they have no idea what is in front of it. They do the same when they wish to overtake, My guess is that some of them have one eye, why should they be different from the rest?
Then there is this depth of perception idea or judging distance tied in with the ability to park, many people with 2 eyes seem to have a problem parking a small car. In my working life as an engineer I have operated all sorts of machine shop equipment, and the eye thing seemed to be no more of a problem to me as a lefthander using righthanded machines and micrometeors and verniers etc. When I took the motor-bike and car driving test all those years ago it was not a thing the examiner knew. One of my sons is a highly qualified driving instructor and he would soon have something to say if he thought I was unfit to drive. I do think the type of car comes into it as the vision is better in some than others, I drive an Insignia which is a big car, but it’s the estate version, I would not have the saloon version as I think the rear vision is poor for any driver.
So do I have any problem ? Yes turning left when there is a short run in which means one has to turn ones neck right round to see what is coming up, as I said its my right eye, the solution has been on all my cars to fit one of those stick on adjustable mirrors onto the existing mirror, you can purchase these in Halfords, I can then see the whole road.
The writer spoke about Sat Navs, many years ago my son had one before me, I noticed that following the verbal instructions in a strange place was excellent from a safety viewpoint, shortly after I purchased a TomTom and visited a Northern City which I did not know, listening to the precise instructions (lanes etc) I found it a boon. What I don’t do is watch the screen, personally I think that is dangerous, it’s the same as looking at a phone or any other screen.
That said I noted the writer mentioned phones, my phone is in my shirt pocket switched on, if rings I ignore it and sort it at the end of my journey. Why does every thing these days have to be done immediately? don’t tell me its always urgent. Personally I think that on todays roads people who use a phone and text should loose their licence for 10 years, and no exceptions.
Another bad practice which is a bad example on many TV programs is, Two people in a car talking, the driver constantly turning his/her head 90 degrees to look at and talk to the passenger, Why? I talk to all my passengers looking at the road none of them have a problem with this
In conclusion we are all different in temperament which has a lot to do with all the bad driving, To a person loosing an eye ignore the advice and opinions of those who do not have this problem, work it out for your self. I am blessed with good sight in my eye, others may not. As I say the event was 69 years ago and I have been on the road for 65 years so I do know something about it. One day I will not be here, or I may have to give up, I like everyone else should realise this and accept it with grace when it happens – I have had a good innings.
I hope you found this interesting and thanks for reading.
Thanks for sharing.
Funnily enough I drive an Insignia estate too. Had it for 6 years and think it’s one of the better cars I have in terms of all around vision with one eye. Parking’s not a problem with the parking sensors, despite being 5m long.
Thank you Paul, whilst it was a few years ago, I read your comments with interest. Your glass half full & real world practical approach made a lot of sense. No accidents is hard to fathom yet a testament to your perceptual conviction. I’d certainly keep an eye out for you if you were in my area. From a mature binocular driver to an even more mature monocular driver kudos!
I lost vision in left eye 70 years ago. Most of my adult life I lived in the Virgin Islands where we drive on the left so I had to look right to make the turn. I have been living in the US for 7 years now and have terrible time in some places making a right turn. I have looked for a device that would hep me see to the left especially those places where the right lane curves to the right to make turn easier.
Hello Tom, I have driven in Europe and Canada, I think your only solution is Mirrors of the type in my article. I know that many drivers with two eyes do not use their mirrors anything like they should, I am not saying you are one of them but frequent use of mirrors is essential for any driver, many fail the test because they dont use the mirrors.
I wish I could find a mirror that would show traffic to my left. Maybe a camera like a backup camera? It is important enough that I would say cost is no object. The blind spot alarms on newer cars have been very helpful.
The simple option would be a blind spot convex mirror (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=blind+spot+car+mirror&crid=33Y38I30UZXRP&sprefix=blind+spot+%2Caps%2C236&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_11), but you might also be able to appropriate a camera system used in things like bigger trucks(https://www.amazon.com/s?k=blind+spot+camera&ref=nb_sb_noss_2). The second option would require more installation (and possibly some professional help) but would do more.
I guess I have been using wrong search criteria, thank you very much. I will buy a new car next year and will definitely get a customizer to install one of those cameras. Thanks again!
Tom, I also wrote about features in modern cars that can be helpful for monocular vision: https://lifewithoneeye.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-car-when-youre-blind-in-one-eye/
I lost vision in left eye in 2015, and found an electronics expert who added a camera on left side mirror with monitor in center of dash and parking sensors with indicators on center console. I don’t know why more people don’t recommend such modifications…other than the cost (~$3,000) But they add significantly more safety when combined with mirrors, etc. Feel free to contact me for details.
I looked in Halfords and I couldn’t find a mirror that I thought would do the trick.
Friends,
Kindly guide me, after going through all the comments above, I am feeling confidant that I will get my Canada driving license as I am moving to Calgary, Canada on work visa as my left eye is good with normal glasses but my right eye is lazy (almost no sight)
Please advise…
I need to find a driving school that understands the needs of a first time driver with monocular vision.
Any recommendations? Where do I start?
For those newly having monocular vision, it can be pretty soul destroying the first time you get behind the wheel. It was for me, I thought I’d never drive normally again.
That was purely because my brain had to get used to the depth perception thing. I had a hard time judging gaps and of course you don’t have the same angle of vision overall.
Seriously, it took me about 2 weeks to adjust and I’ve been fine ever since. You’ll never be 100% as ‘good’ as you were, but I’d say I’m 95% there. Been driving cars, vans and riding motorbikes for the last 18 years or so with one eye and not had a single problem.
I’m about to learn to drive and i can only see with one eye. how long does it take to get the hang of being able to drive with monocular vision?
I’m very glad to have found this site. I’m a 79 year old widow who lives alone, very independent. 10days ago I woke up basically blind in my right eye. Went to the ER an was worked up for stroke which was negative. I still have a few tests to go but was already under the care of an ophthalmologist because I was already scheduled for bilateral cataract removal on March 1. Been worked up by him, post incident as well as the head of ophthalmology. They can find nothing – call me a conundrum.
I have already figured out most of the parking lot tips you gave as I have actually been doing most of them for years. What worries me the most at this point is merging lanes since I have no peripheral vision on my right side so looking quickly over my shoulder is not something I now take for granted.
I’m short ( 5’1″) so the seat head rests have always been in my way anyway. I think I’m going to remove them and risk a whiplash I suppose but think it would really help.
I will continue to read and pick up any other tips.
I have 2 years left before my DL needs to be renewed and want my new skills to be second nature by then.
Thanks for being here.