Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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Squeemom2 05/19/2013

So, last night I was at a friend's house in a rural area and decided to drive home after dark. I'm not familiar with the area or the drive. It was a rough one. I couldn't see the lines on the road. I couldn't see what was coming up ahead. The signs were blurry. The lights from other cars were like a sparkly confusing mess of bright stars and halos. I already knew that I have trouble seeing while driving at night. It's the only thing that didn't get better after my double vision went away. That frightening drive last night sealed the deal for me. No more night driving unless I'm in my own neighborhood.

The eye doc called me last week and I told them I didn't need to come in because my vision problems were neurological and had resolved themselves. Think maybe I should call them back and make an appt just to make sure there are no underlying non-ms type problems.

mmthlvr 05/19/2013

I don't drive at night anymore unless it's an emergency. I can't tell distances and all oncoming traffic looks like it's in my lane. I also have shadow buddies in my peripheral vision. I constantly looks like something is about to run out in front of me.

It might be good to have it checked out, good luck.
Hugs
Tammy

deleted_user 05/20/2013

I know how scary this can be. I've had night vision problems for a long time and only drive at night in my close area and mostly just when I am forced to.

I tilt my side mirrors down and put my review mirror in the night position. This helps a lot with any traffic behind me, because I am blinded by their headlights, but doesn't do a thing for the on coming traffic of course. So... this helps a little when I just HAVE to drive at night but for the most part I just avoid driving after dark.

((hugs))
Lisa

ezone 05/20/2013

So sorry you are having problems. Good you are recognizing them. Hope your doc can provide insight into this.

djbritt 05/20/2013

I do not like driving at night unless it is the ride from the grocery store to my home. lol. I cannot drive in new places at night.

JCStormy 05/20/2013

I'd been having that same problem for a while and only now (with help of my neurologist) have come to understand that it was symptoms of the MS. What I'm about to try, since I already wear glasses, is the Transition treated lenses with polarization to cut down on the glare.

Granted, I'm only now giving it a go but you may want to ask your eye doctor if something like that, or the ones specifically for driving, will work for you.

Best of luck :)

Squeemom2 05/20/2013

Thanks for the tip on the side view mirrors. I just try to switch lanes when the glare from a car behind me hits. I actually have 20/20 vision. Even when I had double vision so bad the whole world was crooked, each eye was perfect individually. The "work together wires" were just severely crossed. I also didn't know that they have glasses just to cut down on glare at night, good to know, maybe those would help. I have an MRI and neuro appt in July. Think maybe I'll just wait till then and mention it to him. Stays light out pretty late this time of year, shouldn't be too hard to avoid driving in the dark. But,yes it was a very scary white knuckle 30 minute drive and real wake up call for me. Not doing that again.

carolinagirl123 05/20/2013

I would limit your night driving. Ive always been a good driver but MS does effect your eyes and not just the optic neuritis. I have that sane exact experience with night driving. It took huge amounts of concentration and exhausted me. MS makes my eyes blurry, bad night vision especially lights, gray fogginess. I stopped night driving last year when i had a wreck. Completely ran a red light on a 4 lane busy highway and it was due to lights, i got confused. Im very lucky i didn't get hurt and so glad the people in the other car didn't get hurt.

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