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Original poster

What is this with my vision??

23 replies

unicornanddinosaur · 12/03/2022 20:09

Sorry posting here for traffic.

I have worse vision in one eye than the other so I wear glasses to correct it. However at night if I get a headache I'll take my glasses off to watch tv. I've started to notice that in my eye with the bad vision the lights drag down. If that even makes sense? Basically if I close one eye and only look out of the bad one any light from the tv looks like it is being stretched right out above and below the tv. I've also noticed it happens when driving at night. Does anyone know what would cause that?

OP posts:
HeadacheGrey · 12/03/2022 20:27

I think that’s astigmatism isn’t it?

Xpologog · 12/03/2022 20:29

When did you last have an eye exam?

Pyri · 12/03/2022 20:32

I think I understand. My eyesight is ok but I wear glasses for the cinema etc. I find my eye strain much worse at night due to the contrast between bright harsh lights and the dark night.

The excess light sort of bleeds out of the source of light. Is that what you mean?

CorpusCallosum · 12/03/2022 20:35

See an optician as a start. Any kind of new visual disturbance should be checked out 💚

Spidey66 · 12/03/2022 20:38

It might be cataracts which affects night vision. I've had cataracts and had surgery and it's changed my life.

Triotriotrio · 12/03/2022 20:38

Sounds like astigmatism, even if it is only that you definitely need to see an optician, if only for them to say you need new glasses

SmellyOldOwls · 12/03/2022 20:41

Yes it's astigmatism. You'll need to get corrective lenses especially if you drive - driving at night with uncorrected astigmatism is impossible.

merrymelodies · 12/03/2022 20:48

I have this in my right eye - or had it - and underwent cataract surgery a few weeks ago with a toric lens replacement. This is a lens made specifically for astigmatism. Cataracts can appear as early as 40.

Original poster
unicornanddinosaur · 12/03/2022 20:50

I had an eye test about 3 weeks ago and got given new glasses but this light thing is new. Is it still worth going back even though I only had a test recently?

@Pyri yes that's exactly like what it is!

OP posts:
Pyri · 12/03/2022 20:52

Wow, I’d had no idea. Google “astigmatism lights” and that’s exactly what mine looks like!

Thanks for all the information, very informative thread!

Pumperthepumper · 12/03/2022 20:52

It’s because when you close one eye the other one suddenly has to work twice as hard. How is it with both eyes open?

Original poster
unicornanddinosaur · 12/03/2022 20:54

@Pumperthepumper

It’s because when you close one eye the other one suddenly has to work twice as hard. How is it with both eyes open?
With both eyes open I just see blurred vision from one side and it feels like my eye lid on that side is super heavy
OP posts:
Pumperthepumper · 12/03/2022 20:55

See an optician then.

Original poster
unicornanddinosaur · 12/03/2022 20:56

@Pyri

Wow, I’d had no idea. Google “astigmatism lights” and that’s exactly what mine looks like!

Thanks for all the information, very informative thread!

I've just Googled it and that's 100% what I was trying to explain!
OP posts:
IgiveupallthenamesIwantedareg0 · 12/03/2022 21:17

OP: Did you go to a "real" eye doctor or to one of the "chain stores" for your recent test ? It can make a huge difference in diagnosis.

MarbleQueen · 12/03/2022 21:23

This can be a symptom of acute angle glaucoma. It can come on quite suddenly.

Original poster
unicornanddinosaur · 12/03/2022 21:24

@IgiveupallthenamesIwantedareg0

OP: Did you go to a "real" eye doctor or to one of the "chain stores" for your recent test ? It can make a huge difference in diagnosis.
I went to specsavers, to be honest I've always been to them so didn't think of going anywhere different!
OP posts:
Want2beme · 12/03/2022 21:50

I've got an astigmatism and get that with traffic lights when not wearing my specs. The shape I see is like a leaf.

Dky4 · 12/03/2022 21:54

I've always had this since being a kid. Had no idea it was something specific. Thought it's just what happened if you are short sighted

IgiveupallthenamesIwantedareg0 · 12/03/2022 21:54

OP: I went to such a provider for ages and then noticed that my eyesight was getting worse, I thought I just needed new glasses. My DH had an appointment with a "real" eye doctor and I tagged along. Within 3 weeks had had a glaucoma operation on both eyes within a week of each other ( only a mornng each time) and now only need glasses for very small print - he even told me to and buy at the store ( e.g. Boots equivilent where I live) and he was right!

Spidey66 · 13/03/2022 10:42

I use specsavers....never had an issue with them. I get a thorough eye test yearly (my brother has glaucoma so I get free yearly nhs eye tests) and they use all the latest equipment. Not sure if they'd go into such depth if you didn't have the family history.

They diagnosed me with cataracts and told me it was early stages and not to worry....unfortunately the cataracts deteriorated rapidly and at my next eye test this too was picked up. Fortunately I have since had the surgery in both eyes and I'm over the moon with the results. All thanks to Specsavers for picking it up.

CastleOfDoom · 13/03/2022 11:56

What do you mean Igiveup? 'Chain store' opticians ARE real 'eye doctors' Confused
An anomaly showed up on my DH's eye test at Specsavers, he was told to go to the hospital immediately. Turned out to be a mass on his pituitary gland for which he had brain surgery.

Anyway I sometimes get what you're describing OP at night when my eyes are dry, a couple of eye drops sorts it out. If you've had an eye test recently it would've been picked up on that for sure but go back if you are worried.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 13/03/2022 12:00

It's an astigmatism.

You'll need to go back and get your eyes re-checked and you'll need new lenses in your glasses to correct it.

Driving at night with an uncorrected astigmatism is incredibly dangerous. I've had one for years and need special corrective lenses in my glasses that cost me a fortune

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