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Night driving difficulties

L

LiSwati

Active Member
Messages
33
Location
Eswatini
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Negativity
Greetings. Is it just me, or is this a common problem. Since being diagnosed with Type 2 (Aug 2022), I struggle driving at night, especially on small unlit roads with on-coming traffic. I seem to get blinded very easily.

It gets worse when I have “floaters”, which come and go, which can making me see things that are not there.

PS: I maintain stable readings using metformin, exercise, and a low carb diet.

Is this a common problem for us, and will it ever improve over time? What are our options, besides avoiding night driving altogether, which is not always possible?
 
Have you seen an eye doctor with your vision issues?
 
Hi @LiSwati and welcome to the forums.

I'd second @Antje77 's suggestion of taking this to an optometrist. If your issues are caused by diabetes, and I'm not saying they necessarily are, then it's best to get them looked at and monitored. Eye specialists have been preserving the eyesight of diabetics for many many decades now, and regular monitoring is encouraged so that you can get any necessary treatment in time.

(I've had on again/ off again background retinopathy for decades, which so far hasn't needed treatment, but it does need monitoring because if it deteriorates I will need treatment.)
 
I can't drive at night any more because the dazzle factor of many modern headlights is too much for me. In my case it's nothing to do with my diabetes.
 
Blind as a bat in the dark, since double uveïtis in both eyes left scar tissue in my pupils. Not everything we get is diabetes related, we can get other stuff, sometimes.

Basically that means another vote here for just going to see someone. Might be as simple as getting yellow tinted glasses for night driving or something. A professional can let you know what's going on, and whether there's a workable fix for it.

Good luck!
Jo
 
Driving at night.

Couple things I do to combat traffic glare.

Make sure my windscreen is clean inside & out.
If raining use the AC on full aimed at the windscreen. Works as a demister by sucking moisture off the glass.
Make sure my glasses are clean too?

I got polarised prescription sunglasses for day driving too, which removes road glare with the sun after rain on a wet road.
It also removes strong glare reflected off the backs of other vehicles too…

But your first port of call @LiSwati , is a professional eye exam…

Best wishes.
 
Greetings and well wishes. A year ago when I started this thread, I thought my diabetes was contributing to my night driving difficulties. I was wrong.

After almost crashing my car in August, I went to see an eye specialist. I was diagnosed with Sector Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), which causes night blindness.

It was a blow but also comforting to finally understand what’s going on with me, as no one I’ve spoken to, was experiencing the same symptoms as me.

My condition is rare and hereditary.
 
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Can I ask if you’d been driving with HID (high intesity discharge) bulbs or the warmer Halogen lamps?
 
The latest LED headlights are much brighter than the old halogen lights. The glare can affect anyone. Aside from keeping your windscreen clean, interior & exterior, try looking more towards the nearside of the road. Don't wear sunglasses as they will reduce the total light entering your eyes, not just the headlights, which is dangerous.
 
I had terrible problems driving at night it was due to cataracts . My optician told me that I was susceptible to get them at an earlier age due to my diabetes , I’ve had them both done now have 20/20 vision and no problems driving at night .
 
I’m sorry to hear you have RP @LiSwati. Is it mandatory to report you have RP to DVLA ? I have Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy. I had to report my condition to our driving agency here. I cannot drive at night I’m as good as blind. I have glare and lose of depth perception and contrast. I have light sensitive glasses which helped my daytime vision.
 
Jaylee said:
Can I ask if you’d been driving with HID (high intesity discharge) bulbs or the warmer Halogen lamps?
Click to expand...
Hi Jaylee. I don’t know but my car is fairly new and has good lights.

High quality lamps may help but my night driving days are over. I am literally blinded by passing cars (up to 3-4 seconds white-out), and when driving at night without passing cars, it’s like driving in a tunnel without peripheral vision.
 
Thanks Duncan. Sadly I must concede that my night driving days are over. I am extremely lucky to not have had an accident from my condition. RP is a bad eye condition and I am fortunate to now understand the impact it has on night driving.
 
Ushthetaff said:
I had terrible problems driving at night it was due to cataracts . My optician told me that I was susceptible to get them at an earlier age due to my diabetes , I’ve had them both done now have 20/20 vision and no problems driving at night .
Click to expand...
Hello Ushthetaff. That’s great news. Medical advances on cataract operations are amazing, with improved vision post op.

I do not have any traces of cataracts. Unfortunately, RP is a degenerative condition that is not treatable. I can only slow it down by taking certain precautions. The good news for me, is that I have a rarer form of RP, called Sector Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), which is less aggressive (slower) than the normal RP, which can develop into total blindness.
 
Hello Melgar. My country does not have such controls but it should have. I have to now take responsibility for this condition and not place anyone in danger by me driving at night. I now understand my condition and it’s associated risks.

Thanks for sharing. You know what’s it like, especially the white-outs from the glare from passing cars. Crazy indeed. Sorry too, for your condition. I hope it is not highly progressive and can be controlled / managed.

RP affects the peripheral vision, squeezing the vision inward over time, until nothing. I have fairly good vision during the day and I found that tinted or yellow lenses help on bright sunny days. See below image of an advanced case of RP. My eye specialists believes I still have several years before it gets this bad.

PS: I still get blared vision with BG lows & highs. I call it my BG Barometer (smile).

 
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