Question:
I am 18 years old and I don't have any medical problems. I've just started noticing a problem within the past couple weeks. I can see perfectly fine during the day, when reading or watching TV, but when I am driving at night it is really difficult for me to see. I find myself having to squint at times while driving at night. It is especially hard without having my brights on and even with them on I still struggle. I can make it home driving at night but I have to go much slower than normal and I don't feel at ease while driving at night. I am just starting college so I really need to be able to drive at night. What should I do?

Answer:
Your description of blurred vision when driving at night indicates that you have probably developed some myopia (nearsightedness), a condition in which corrective spectacle or contact lenses are needed to see clearly in the distance. It is not uncommon for myopia to develop in the late teenage years, and the first symptom noted is often a reduction in clarity of distance vision under reduced illumination. Make an appointment with an Eye M.D. to be checked for eyeglasses.

Answered by:
Lee Duffner, MD

Categories:
Eye Diseases, General Eye Health