jen,

I can relate to what your saying about the night driving. I too find that night driving really bothers my eyes,(all the headlights and overhead lights) especially in heavy trafic and like you say, when it's raining at night. The daytime doesn't bother me. I haven't noticed any problem with judging the distance though, it's like I just need to wear sun glasses to prevent all the glares!

I don't wear glasses, only for reading and my eyes don't seem to change much from year to year.

Hope someone else has some answers for you.

Mary

jen, have you had a good check-up recently? Sometimes blood pressure problems can mess up the vision some. The additional pressure seems to mess up the focal point of the eyes.

Another thing could be cataracts. However, if that was the problem, I am sure that the doctor would have told you. There's something wrong, that's for sure. I think I would see another opthamologist for a second opinion.

I gave up night driving 4 years ago. I am 59. The problem had been coming on for a long time. I just can't see. My opthamologist had nothing to say about it except that it happens to most people as they age and some of us earlier than others. Of course, he may be a quack. I don't know. My father-in-law just gave up night driving at the age of 82. I am diabetic. That may have something to do with it. Have you had your blood sugar tested recently?

I went to my optometrist (where I get my eyes checked annually and buy subscription glasses) and he did some tests. He referred me to an opthamologist (M.D. who specializes in vision/eye problems) with whom I made an appointment for late September (earliest available opening). Between now and then, I'll have plenty of opportunities to try night driving and see where I have a problem and where I don't.

My blood pressure is low (always has been) and the doctor did check for cataracts. I haven't had my blood sugar tested recently but I don't have symptoms of blood sugar problems (unless I eat nothing for several hours and get really hungry).

We took a drive around the neighborhood and downtown last weekend and I didn't have any problems because traffic was light and the street lights were bright. The problem seems to be noticeable in heavy traffic (i.e. lots of little lights) or on a very dark street.

I have mentioned this to a few others my age and they say they've noticed a change, but it doesn't seem to bother them.

Thank you for your comments...

Jen

I don't know if this will help, but I have anti-reflective coating on my glasses. I prefer the blue tint, but one time they accidentally used the yellow tint, and said that the yellow seems to help people with night driving. So you might check into that.

Try to increase your raw carrot and raw green veg intake. It may or may not improve your sight, but may prevent further deterioration. Raw salad can be stirred into cooked spaghettit, and you don't know you are eating it..raw frozen peas are great..else add 1/2 carrot, 1/2 celery stick and some fresh fruit eg an orange (skin off) blended together with a little water (i add a little milk powder and yoghurt plus barley green).. i throw in mint and anything available. Tastes great, and sooo good for your eyes! Makes a very healthy and filling brekky drink!!!

Or would it be safe to take a low dose of Vitamin A???
Some folk don't like carrots, etc.

I have had night vision problems since I was in my mid 20s, and yup rain makes it 10 times worse. I am not even comfortable beeing in a car at night even when someone else is driving. I just cant see. I have been to several different eye Drs. over the years and none of them have found anything wrong. I have trained myself to use only very familiar routs even if they are out of the way if I HAVE to drive at night but it still terrorizes me. I am lucky to be working from home. Do you have the kind of job that you could work several hours at home in the evening?
Lisa

Use the yellow lenses, they can be clipped on over your regular glasses if you eyes check out after an eye doctor.

I am in the same boat as Jen. 51, female. Depth perception at night is a horror. Day vison is prefect. I eat all the right foods to help healthy eyes. I can't tell if the car in front of me is 3 ft or 10 ft. I won't drive at night any longer until I can fix this. Perfect health otherwise. I will try yellow lens. I don't need glasses. Jordan

Jenn,have you been checked for a retinal tear? I have had those and they healed themselves but the doctor said I need to have lots of light to see driving or when I read. Needless to say I try only to drive at night when there is lots of street lights but I won't drive in the country. Are you seeing more black floaters or have a film that seems to float over your eyes(I only notice this when it is colder). It very important to make sure you don't have any tears so hope you get this checked if you haven't already.

Eat tons of carrots. They are the best for poor eyesight.

I had no idea that this problem was as common as it is as I have only encountered it in myself and my dad who also complained of night vision problems. I have had problems with depth perception at night since my 20's and can remember walking off of curbs or into puddles because I couldn't see them. Up until recently however, the problem was manageable. Now however, I don't dare drive at night because not only can I not see well, the lights have become so blinding and glaring that I feel like I am driving in a video game with limited vision to boot. Unless I can get behind someone and follow their taillights, I can't manage it at all and usually have to pull off the road several times. If its not the lights glaring and making it impossible to see, it is the absolute blackness and my inability to see more than a few feet in front of myself. On top of that, I can't walk around outside at night anymore unless it is well lit up. If its not, I barely shuffle forward as everything is dark and appears flat. I am almost completely blind at night. I am only 53 years old and when I mention this to my mother she scoffs at me and thinks I'm being silly. She is 83 and thinks she is the only person who has medical concerns and because of my age, it must be nothing. Personally, I'm getting worried. Its gotten so much worse in just one year. I can't afford health insurance and she won't help pay because she thinks its unnecessary. She has more than the ability to help out but won't. Anyone else think this is something to worry about?

First it should be your responsibility and not your mothers. Second unless there is a medical reason only found after an eye exam health insurance will not pay a dime toward it. One suggestion is to find a pair of cheap sunglasses that have amber or dark brown lenses and see if they will help.