Is night time blindness a thing?

[Anonymous]

There is such a thing as night blindness. I have a friend whose vision is impaired by diabetes complications and she actually has a restriction on her license that she can't drive at night. (I don't think she drives at all, anymore).

Even if your friend's problem is anxiety, if she isn't comfortable driving at night, she shouldn't drive at night. It's safer for everyone. I also doubt convincing her to go out at night is going to solve her anxiety and depression problems.

[Anonymous]

44. My night vision started getting bad in my early 30s. At this point I still CAN drive at night, but I prefer not to for everyone's safety. This runs in my family, BTW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone, I still think most of her issues are because shes nervous but I see now why walking in the dark is possible but not driving.

Stop trying to be her doctor and start trying to be a better friend. Because you come off here a bit insufferable.

[Anonymous]

OP You do not sound like a very good friend.
Of course night blindness is a real thing. But often people just do not believe in it. Being blind is NOT FUN and it is certainly not something you would make up. As I became more and more blind, it was more and more restrictive. Diving at night with my vision is completely out and verified by my doctor. It is not safe for anyone. Walking around at night is possible if the path is super smooth and can be navigated by a blind person. Mostly I take someone with me at night to hold onto. It is anxiety producing to shuffle along being night blind.

[Anonymous]

Yes night blindness is a thing. There is a disorder called Congenital Stationary Night Blindnes... Also, Retinitis Pigmentosa results in night blindness, among other disorders.

[Anonymous]

i can't see well night-driving either. I did lasik 15 years ago and see large halos around lights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone, I still think most of her issues are because shes nervous but I see now why walking in the dark is possible but not driving.

Well yeah she's nervous, she can't see! I am really nervous about driving at night too. I have no depth of field when I drive at night, until I'm right there. So when I see a red light up ahead, I can't tell how far away the intersection is, so I drive crazy slow until I'm close enough to be able to tell where to stop. Often, if I see a car's brake lights,I can't tell how far ahead of me they are. I remember driving on the highway one might and asking my husband something like "how far away is that truck in front of us? I can't tell if I need to change lanes to pass it." He was so perplexed about why I kept asking him that, and it was the first time I realized that my night vision is significantly different than others. Also, headlights from oncoming traffic blinds me.

The thing is, I drive at night when I must, but I hate it. I don't blame your friend for not wanting to drive if she can't see well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i can't see well night-driving either. I did lasik 15 years ago and see large halos around lights.

I've had halos ever since my LASIK procedure 7 years ago and I am not comfortable driving at night (I avoid it if possible). I work in the ophthalmology field, which makes it more frustrating to me. People with larger pupils are at higher risk of halos, although the risk is reduced nowadays with the better technology that is available. Basically, let's say the central 6mm of your cornea was treated with the lasik laser, but your pupil dilates to 8mm in the dark...your pupil is allowing light to come through untreated areas of your cornea which results in aberrations...halos, starbursts, etc. Any good surgeon would measure your pupil size in the dark during your consult and should make every patient aware of the slight risk of halos after lasik.

[Anonymous]

I have an astigmatism and I see large light halos around lights when driving at night. It's gotten worse as I get older. She might be both anxious and have a hard time seeing well at night while driving.

[Anonymous]

With corrective lenses I have 20/20 vision.
My night vision however is terrible. I only drive on roads I know well by following other cars, if there's no rain or fog as I am unable to read any signs. I have no anxiety. Poor LASIK candidate, so have to drive in contacts/glasses and take public transportation after 6 pm.