Can I see well enough to be a nurse?

Drysolong · Jul 29, 2006

Hi. I was diagnosed with an optic nerve disorder when I was a baby, and I have had vision problems ever since. I can't see well enough to drive a car, but I can see well enough to read dictionary print. Can I see well enough to be a nurse, or would it be impossible for me? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

I'm not sure about your optic nerve disorder, but in my case I was prescribed glasses at age 12 and have not worn them for the past two years during nursing school and my current nursing job (of eight weeks). I've had no problems reading anything connected with my job. I think my uncorrected vision in one eye was at one time someithing like 20/80. I do a lot of eye-training exercises.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 29, 2006

Hi. I was diagnosed with an optic nerve disorder when I was a baby, and I have had vision problems ever since. I can't see well enough to drive a car, but I can see well enough to read dictionary print. Can I see well enough to be a nurse, or would it be impossible for me? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Can you see well enough to draw up liquid into a syringe with accuracy (tiny lines on an insulin syringe, specifically)?

Can you look at the end of a needle and see the beveled angle (which end is up)?

Steph2007 · Jul 29, 2006

Can you see well enough to draw up liquid into a syringe with accuracy (tiny lines on an insulin syringe, specifically)?
Can you look at the end of a needle and see the beveled angle (which end is up)?

I'm not sure about the syringe. I can use measuring cups and things like that though. And yes, I can see which end is up on a needle.

TazziRN, RN · Jul 29, 2006

If you can thread a needle with nothing more than glasses, you can probably see well enough to nurse. As for the syringe, next time you have a doctor's appt, ask the staff to show you a 3-ml syringe and see if you can read the graduations on it.

Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN · Jul 29, 2006

I have visions problems and don't drive a car because of them. I have been nursing for 20 years and have learned ways to adapt to my vision problems. If you have problem with syringes, you can always buy a magnifier.

My problems are more related to depth perception and poor peripheral vision in one eye. I hold my syringes higher than most people to adapt to the depth perception problems. I think you will find you can manage fine. If you can read dictionary print, you should be OK.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 30, 2006

I have a friend who had retinopathy from birth.

She got through nursing school and then specialized in psych nursing.

Now she has other physical problems and teaches nursing.

Give it a try, and good luck!

ortess1971 · Jul 30, 2006

In my hospital, there is a GI doc that got some kind of viral illness(to this day, they're not really sure what it was) and he still practices even though he is legally blind. He has adapted his equipment and is upfront with his pts. about his vision. He is an excellent doc and it goes to show that even people with disabilities or health issues can practice medicine or nursing...Good Luck!