one-time night blindness in one eye

[scwater22]

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!

[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!!!!