Anyone Suffer From Night Blindness?

[mickeyboat]

Hannah (7) has complained for years that she could not see in the dark, even to the point of not wanting to go trick-or-treating because she couldn't see. She does wear corrective lenses, but her day time vision isn't that bad.

I asked her pediatrician years ago when Hannah first started complaining about it, and she said it was highly unlikely that she could see during the day time, and physically not be able to see in the dark. The doctor suggested it was likely a personality trait that made her more timid when she could not see as well in the dark. I accepted that because it does fit into her personality.

I saw a Court TV Forensic Files episode last night where the victim was described as having night blindness. So I looked into it this morning. Turns out there are some diseases which can cause night blindness, as can a Vitamin A deficiency. Most people get plenty of Vitamin A from their diets, and a year's supply can be stored in the liver, so it is unlikely that would cause her night vision issues.

Hannah has an eye doctor appointment next weekend, and I plan to discuss it again with the doctor. But I was wondering if anyone else had experience with this?

Denae

 

[budbeerlady]

I wouldnt say its really night blindness for me, but I really have a hard time seeing at night. To the point I will avoid driving or walking around in the dark if at all possible (walking to the bathroom when camping can be very hazzardous even with a flash light). I do have horrid vision without my glasses and astimatism but I think some of it is just a genetic thing. Dh can see like a hawk but I trip over everything in the night.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I wear glasses for reading, driving, watching tv just anything that I need for up close stuff. However, at night I can't see anything especially if Im very tired or sick. I have to concentrate to drive at night even when wearing my glasses. My eye doctor said it's pretty common actually and there really isn't anything that can fix it. I dread when I get older if I'm having these problems at 28.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I recently started a thread about this because I have a hard time driving at night. My eye doctor said that, in general, people with light colored eyes have a harder time seeing at night. I thought that was interesting.

My eyesight overall is pretty good as I'm 38 and don't need glasses, though I see "floaters" and at risk for retina detachment. I'm not sure if this affects night vision, but it does make me sensitive to bright lights. I wear sunglasses nearly every time I go outside regardless of what time of year it is.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I get stuff checked out with a specialist, just to be on the safe side.

Could be a "sensory issue" as well but I always check out the organic causes first.

You just never know.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

When I was having some other medical issues I had to start wearing orange tinted driving glasses to see clearly at night.

I have 20/20 and like 20/25 in my normal vision but for some reason Enough light was not getting in during the night.

I have always had a bit of a problem at night but nothing like that . The glasses did help and I don't need them any more .But in the dark ( Like HM when lights go dim I can't see 1 ft. in front of my face.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I have a hard time seeing at night while driving. a back light helps me a lot. So if I am having trouble, I turn on the cabin lights in the van.

I really wish they made glass for that. The solutions seem to only be a variation of sunglasses and I don't need my vision darkened. Just something to offset very bright things coming my way at night.

 

[golfgal]

A friend of mine always said she had a hard time seeing at night. She wouldn't drive at night at all because of that. She went to have Lasik surgery last year and they discovered that her pupils didn't dialate all the way so they had to change how they did the surgery. He thought that was probably why she couldn't see well at night, her pupils didn't get large enough to let in enough light to see well.

 

[gharrer]

My DS friend had trouble seeing at night. He wasn't able to see the stars. At about age 10 he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa HE finshed highschool with little problems, though the night blindness became more severe. He is followed at Johns Hopkins. Hopefully your dd is fine. Nancy

 

[MoniqueU]

I had ok vision, not the best, alot of night blindness and a halo around my eyes. I was told it was all in my head that there was no way my glasses weren't working. I highly suggest you get a second opinion. It turns out I have Retinitis Pigmentosa. Night blindness is one of the number one signs of that.

 

[lowie]

I asked her pediatrician years ago when Hannah first started complaining about it, and she said it was highly unlikely that she could see during the day time, and physically not be able to see in the dark. The doctor suggested it was likely a personality trait that made her more timid when she could not see as well in the dark. I accepted that because it does fit into her personality.

I saw a Court TV Forensic Files episode last night where the victim was described as having night blindness. So I looked into it this morning. Turns out there are some diseases which can cause night blindness, as can a Vitamin A deficiency. Most people get plenty of Vitamin A from their diets, and a year's supply can be stored in the liver, so it is unlikely that would cause her night vision issues.

Hannah has an eye doctor appointment next weekend, and I plan to discuss it again with the doctor. But I was wondering if anyone else had experience with this?

Denae

not to alarm you but there are retinal diseases that affect people night vision, these can include retinitis pigmentosa(rp) and usher syndrome. my husband has rp, inhereted from his mothers side, but there doesn't have to be a family history. can't hurt to ask about these things.
i've never heard of vitamin A deficiency causing night blindness, but i know that rp patients sometimes take vitamin a palmitate in high doses to slow down the progression of their disease, but it can cause liver damage.
let us know how her doctors appt goes!

 

[MoniqueU]

not to alarm you but there are retinal diseases that affect people night vision, these can include retinitis pigmentosa(rp) and usher syndrome. my husband has rp, inhereted from his mothers side, but there doesn't have to be a family history. can't hurt to ask about these things.
i've never heard of vitamin A deficiency causing night blindness, but i know that rp patients sometimes take vitamin a palmitate in high doses to slow down the progression of their disease, but it can cause liver damage.
let us know how her doctors appt goes!

Best of luck to your husband, personally I know what a struggle it is and often a lonely one at that.
There is no family history of it in my family and I had never heard of RP or anything like it before. I also can't see the stars, can't see anywhere if it is dark but am usually fine to read on the computer but not a book by the light of a lamp. Other symptoms of RP are bumping into things or tripping either at night or during the day, having flashers or floaters in your eyes and decreased central vision. Also based on my horrible experience not all eye Dodtors are adept at diagnosing retinal problems. If I were anyone with one or more of the symptoms I would see a retinal specialist to rule it out. I was driving around and had no idea I was unfit to drive because I could see pretty good and still can for the most part, it never dawned on me I might be dangerous.

 

[GeorgeG]

I see okay at night, but as I get older I find it takes longer for my eyes to adjust when going from light to dark. When I first turn the lights off I can't see squat for almost a minute.

 

[lowie]

Best of luck to your husband, personally I know what a struggle it is and often a lonely one at that.
There is no family history of it in my family and I had never heard of RP or anything like it before. I also can't see the stars, can't see anywhere if it is dark but am usually fine to read on the computer but not a book by the light of a lamp. Other symptoms of RP are bumping into things or tripping either at night or during the day, having flashers or floaters in your eyes and decreased central vision. Also based on my horrible experience not all eye Dodtors are adept at diagnosing retinal problems. If I were anyone with one or more of the symptoms I would see a retinal specialist to rule it out. I was driving around and had no idea I was unfit to drive because I could see pretty good and still can for the most part, it never dawned on me I might be dangerous.

Monique my husband does have a family history, although he was sheilded from the truth of his disease until he went to college and really figured it out the hard way. he didn't become 'legally' blind until after we met. i've been known to tell him that i made him go blind!

we found a great organization, the foundation fighting blindness, and went to a conference they had in chicago a few years back. they hold it every 2 years. it was an unbelievable experience and we met SO many people with RP and other retinal diseases.

Please PM me if you ever need to talk, you don't have to feel alone with RP!!