Is it normal to see vertical lines when looking at bright light sources?

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9 Comments

This kind of freaks me out. I think I've had this issue for many years, but ever since I've started driving at evening\night is when it really started to bug me.

The issue is, when ever I look directly (or even from an angle) at a fairly bright light source (such as a car's headlights, taillights, street lamps, etc.) I see vertical stripes emitting from that light source, always going downwards (kind of like a "starburst" effect, NOT a halo). It partially blocks my view (doesn't fully blind me), and I'm always afraid I won't see a pedestrian.

The new xenon, HID and LED lights on cars nowadays make it even worse (and when there's many cars on the road the effect worsens exponentially. Shutting one eye makes no difference, as both eyes seem to be equally affected.

The only thing that seems to help is to force open my eyelids very very wide, but it's impossible to do this for more than a few seconds at a time (plus, I'd look like a maniac...). This made me think that maybe this has to do with the upper eyelids blocking some essential light(?) Maybe a cosmetic surgery is needed?

I've checked my eyes several times at different periods of my life, and have always passed with flying colours. I'm currently 25 and have never used glasses or eye-contacts.

Could this be due to too much staring at the sun? Watching TV\using the computer at night? Does anyone else has this issue? (and a remedy, preferably)? anti-reflection coating glasses?

Thanks!

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72% Normal
Based on 146 votes (105 yes)
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Comments ( 9 )
  • peachypie^^
    10 years ago

    I have the same issues, it might mean your eyes are more weak. Unless you suddenly feel pain in your eyes somehow, you seem to be fine.

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    • Xtermy
      10 years ago

      Thanks for the reply!

      Yeah, I have feel no sudden pain whatsoever, just see the strange vertical lines.

      I've also tested out some of these anti-reflective glasses, and the results so far have been not so impressive (for all the price ranges).

      I hope that I'll be able to find the pair that will most suit me and help me with my problem.

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  • q25t
    10 years ago

    Do the lines have the shape of a two blade propeller (flared edges) or are they mostly consistent from top to bottom?

    I think the first option is normal and is simply a product of how our eyes are shaped, although if this is actually as extreme as you say it is, there could be something going on.

    You could see if turning your head sideways (parallel to the ground) and looking at the light source changes their direction or eliminates the lines entirely. They could simply be a result from light reflecting back off of the skin directly below the eye or it could be direct contact.

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    • Xtermy
      10 years ago

      q25t - !ow! Thanks! That's simply an unbelievable observation who have made! Turning my head sideways does indeed greatly eliminate this effect, and, coupled with what you said about the light perhaps reflecting back off of the skin - I think this might be it! Are you an ophthalmologist, by any chance?

      Anyway, to answer your question - this is more likely the second option (consistent top to bottom). I think that I'll go and get advice from an ophthalmologist regarding the possibility of getting anti-reflection coating glasses.

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      • q25t
        10 years ago

        No problemo. I'm not an ophthalmologist or anything, just happen to know too much about random things.

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  • gorillatictacs
    8 years ago

    To me it sounds like keratoconus. I personally have it and it causes all kinds of problems for me. It mainly causes issues with things that have a high contrast. Here is a picture that kind of depicts what it does. http://tinyurl.com/j9xxyfp . It's a lesser known condition that is in close to 8% of the population. Highly un-diagnosed. it can be stopped but not fixed. typically it's worse in one eye. Next time try and close one eye to see if it is affecting both eyes. My vision was getting worse and the ophthalmologist wasn't sure why until he looked at my cornea and saw that it was malformed.

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    • Xtermy
      8 years ago

      Thanks a lot for your reply. I looked at your picture and don't believe it is my case. I did go to the ophthalmologist since writing this post, and was actually diagnosed with astigmatism. Unfortunately, there isn't much I can do about it, and my eyes are otherwise in pretty good shape, so I'm not a candidate for surgery, either. Perhaps laser surgery in the future will be my way to go about this.

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  • KaffeInjection
    10 years ago

    Yeah.. I usually wipe my asshole after shitting too.

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    • Xtermy
      10 years ago

      What the hell does this has to do with anything?

      Did you post your comment in the wrong thread, perhaps? *hint* *hint*

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