Adam B.
Indianapolis, Indiana

Albinism

Bioptic driving has literally changed my life. As a child born with ocular albinism and nystagmus, it was always assumed that I would never be able to drive a car. When I was younger, I never thought much of this, but as I entered into my teenage years, the realization set in and the notion upset and frustrated me. On my 16th birthday, as my friends and classmates were anxiously awaiting the opportunity to receive their drivers licenses in just a few short weeks, I felt alone, unable to share in their joy, due to my eye conditions.

Those feelings of sadness and doubt changed to joy and hope when I was introduced to Dr. Richard Windsor and the bioptic lenses. As a recent high school graduate, I received specialized instruction from a driving rehabilitation instructor and, after months of practice and training, received my drivers license at the age of 18.

It was one of the greatest days of my life. I was worried about the training, but it went very smoothly, as my instructor was extremely friendly and patient and always made sure I fully understood each aspect of driving before moving on to another lesson. I drove for many hours before finally receiving my license and because of this, I felt very prepared to enter into a life of traffic lights, stop signs, interstates, and of course, as a lover of food, drive through windows!

I am now 26 and the benefits of being a bioptic driver are clearer now than ever. I believe that bioptic motorists are some of the safest, most courteous drivers on our roads today. It is not easy to become a bioptic driver, due to the necessity of specialized training, as well as the lack of confidence that being visually impaired brings, but because of this, those with eye conditions are usually far more prepared for a life of driving than those without. Bioptic drivers take the privilege of using the roads and highways very seriously. We are aware of our limitations and are therefore very cautious about the decisions we make on the road. We understand that this wonderful privilege is always at risk of being taken away, as a number of states still heavily regulate the right of an individual with impaired vision to use bioptics to drive.

I really cannot express how much of an impact bioptics have had on my life. Being able to operate a motor vehicle only scratches the surface of how they positively affected me. I am more confident because of bioptics. I am more independent. But most of all, being able to drive allowed me to meet, date, and ultimately marry the woman I love, who lived over an hour away from me when we first met. I am so grateful to Dr. Windsor and his incredible staff for allowing my life to be so full of joy and I firmly stand behind all individuals in the medical field working to improve the conditions for those with visual impairments.