one-time night blindness in one eye

Hi everyone,

To start with, I'm a 20 year old healthy female. I few nights ago something really strange happened to me when I turned out the light to go to sleep. A few minutes after I turned the light off, when my eyes should have adjusted to the dark, something didn't seem right with my vision. So I covered my left eye with my hand, leaving my right eye open, and everything went pitch black. I couldn't see anything out of my right eye. With my left eye I could see the shapes and shadows that you can usually make out in a dark room, but out of my right eye was just total pitch blackness. I turned my light back on, and everything was completely normal; I could see with both eyes. Then I turned the light out again, and once again, I had vision in my left eye but not in my right.

This happened a few nights ago, and it hasn't happened again since. This is probably irrevelant but I thought I'd mention it- I have a couple of enlarged lymph nodes as well as a swollen tonsil on the right side of my neck/head that have all been checked out by a doctor. I also have a new lump on the top of my head, also on the right side. As I said, this is probably all irrevelant to the vision problem, but I thought that maybe since all of this is on the right side of my head, which is the same side as the problem eye, it could somehow be involved.
Does anyone have any ideas of what could cause one-time temporary night blindness in one eye? Thank you for reading!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You need to start out with an ophthalmologist Eye MD doing a comprehensive medical exam. Find one at www.aao.org    It need not be anything serious or anything that will recoccur but its not normal and needs an exam

JCH MD

[scwater22]

Thanks for the quick reply. Since it was a one time incident I was hesitant to make an appointment, but I'll take your advice. Thank you!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[jen1020]

Hi,
I know it's been awhile since you posted this but wondering what ever happened because I'm going through the same thing now.  Occasionally when I turn off the light, I can see everything fine with left eye but nothing out of my right.  It feels like a curtain is being pulled over my eye.  But then after a few minutes it's ok.  I've been hesitant about going to a doctor but just made an appointment.  Thanks
-Jenna

[paris_texan]

hi -- i just had the same problem (same eye, too) and was wondering if anyone had any diagnosis.  i saw a retina specialist this afternoon (as i have severe myopia and, thus, am at high risk for retinal detachment), but he said everything looked all right.  any thoughts?

[Vinnie217]

I have had the same issue. It has happened about 5 times over the course of the past year.  Always late at night, and almost always (I can't remember if it is actually always) when I have fallen asleep watching TV and then wake up to go to bed that I notice the issue. Last time it happened it resolved within 30min.  But, I am going to see an opthamologist tomorrow.  Would like to hear if anyone has had this issue diagnosed/treated?

[allmymarbles]

I am not sure, but don't you have to address your comment to the specific person so that he/she gets notice on his/her e-mail? This is what I always do if I want a reply.

[ellie0916]

I have this same problem, same eye (the right), and have also seen a retinal specialist who said that everything looked fine. It still scares me though and would like to know if anyone had any answers

[jzu]

I have this problem as well and I didn't get a clear answer from my ophthalmologist. 3 months ago, whenever I turn off the light my vision in my right eye is darker than the left eye. But I can see a little in the right eye, the only problem is its really dark. But when I turned on the light, my vision is completely normal. I thought that it might be night blindness, but I've read that unilateral night blindness (one eye only) is rare. This problem bothered me for several months so I consulted an ophthalmologist. I underwent several weird tests, I remember one he mentioned that he will check my retina and the eye drops used were very painful. In the end, he said that my eyes are okay. He just gave me some vitamins and now, I still have the problem but I don't know if I got used to it or it just occurs rarely, since its not bothering me that much.

[Isen88]

Wow, I cant believe so many people have the same problem as I. And with the same eye! Its always the right eye that does not "adjust" to the darkness. Its like i have night blindness in one eye. Also since its so common, why dont eye doctors know anything about the phenomenon?

I am male, far-sighted, and 24 years old.

[durkje]

I've experienced the same thing tonight (not the 1st time)....like there is something over my eye. I put the lights on, normal sight. ....also my right eye! Very scary, as I wear contact lenses and my sight is quite bad. Do I need to see a doctor?

[Nursewood]

Ok, I thought I was going crazy. My episode occured almost 2 years ago (summer). I turned the light off in my bedroom and as I went to walk towards the bed, my equilibrium was off. I felt that "something" was obstructing my view in my left eye (like mucous). I kept trying to rub it away and refocus...but it did not clear. So I did the "practice" of covering my eye...first my right and then my left. I could see perfect with the right eye. But when I covered my right eye to test my left one, I could only see the light coming into the bedroom via my window...I could also see the time on the digital clock...other than that, I could not see my hand in front of my face with my left eye. I have seen FOUR eye doctors (2 in South Carolina and 2 in Houston (one a specialist). All of my tests (Glaucoma, field, air-pressure) all are normal. One doctor made a joke that was not funny. He said, "Don't worry about it, you're not supposed to see in the dark anyway". This effects my driving at night and I have to feel my way around my home if walking short distances in dark or even in a dimly lit room. If I approach my doorway and the porch light isn't on, I have to focus real hard to see the lock with my right eye of course. This happened so suddenly! I don't understand why doctors can not diagnose this problem! When we have our eyes examined, there is "light" in the room or they shine a light in your eye or they have you look at a screen that's brightly lit (field test, reading letters/numbers...) and yes I'm still able to read it accurately. But it is frustrating to feel "Blind" at night...I'm very cautious of anyone approaching me from my left side because, It may take me a minute to notice someone is there or to focus on who they are until I am fully facing them...Certainly there is some scientist or physician who has heard of this!!! WHERE ARE YOU!!!!!!! I want my Left eye vision restored!!!!

[Weffette]

I have been experiencing this problem for over a year, every night. If I lay on my right side, get up in the dark to use the restroom, my left eye is, virtually blind. The same happens to the right eye if sleeping on my left side. It seem to be a central visual distortion/black area. I will be going to an ophthalomogist in a few weeks, but I'm not hopeful for answers.
With the fact that it happens in BOTH eyes, depending on what side my head rests as I sleep is especially worrisome. I have many mediacl problems, increasingly degenerating, and can;t help but wonder if there is some connections. It wouold be nice to know what and why we are experiencing these debilitating problems.

[Ambhaq]

I am having a same problem and I thought I was alone , got a checkup but the doc says everything is fine . Are u guys ok???

[StlJean]

I am going through the same exact thing ....... including the feeling of mucous obstructing the eye which I didn't see in any of the other posts. Has anyone gotten any answers? I went to my optometrist today and he said he never heard anything like it and to go see my regular doctor to get a referral for a neurologist.

[L77bro]

I am so glad I found others. This has been happening to me for over a year on a fairly regular basis and is so frightening. Family doctor has no answes and optician could find nothing.

[Mich1980]

That's so weird, but I have exactly same thing. The problem with the right eye and right tonsil. Can you tell me if you ever found the cause?

[Mich1980]

Sorry I think I posted this incorrectly on the site.

I have exactly the same problem as you...the problem with the right eye and the enlarged right tonsil.

Could you tell me if you still suffer with both problems or if you now you have an answer?

Thanks very much.

[macker963]

Has anyone had an answer?  I have had a similar situation, only in my left eye.  It happens at night about 7-8 times now, my left eye goes foggy black, it feels like there is something on it or something in front of my eye but if i go in the light it is fine then when i go in the dark it is black and it only lasts a couple minutes.

[Shelly2rc]

I've experienced this also, & it scared me tOo! Here are some sites that explain why this may happen. I am shocked that the cause is not well known, especially when so many people are experiencing this.

Night Blindness:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003039.htm

Lack of Vitamin A:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002400.htm

A more serious case can be:
Glaucoma (Eye pressure)
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001620.htm

[someqs17]

Im having the exact same problem. Right eye only and only in the dark...if I look at something bright in the dark, however, its fine but when I look away right eye is super distorted, dark and I can't see objects. Scary. I've been having other vision probs recently too as well as some neuro symptoms and am doing a work up for ms. Anyone figure out their weird night vision problem?

[Anom5545]

Anyone figure out what the cause may be? I have the same problem and even the best opthamologists never heard of that problem before and claimed all tests are ok. I was told by one of them that the only reasonable explanation could be heart or liver problems or blood flow problems. Could it be from not getting enough oxygen? Maybe from Smoking?

[someqs17]

Thats interesting...liver or heart. I wonder why he thinks that. I also mentioned it to my doctor, who is very good, and he was like: "that doesn't make sense." What I don't understand is how the optho's are testing this if every test they do involves light! All of our problems happen in the dark, with minimal bright lights. Oye.