Tunnel vision feeling while driving

[skooly]

Every so often while driving on motorways I get a weird sensation that can cause me to pull over as my sight is affected and I feel as though I could be a danger to others.  Generally it happens on a straight section that is fairly fast moving and not too busy, the fast moving white lines and crash barriers seem to put me into an almost hypnotic trance feeling and I start to feel as though I am in a 1980's computer game and that I am sitting still and everything is rushing towards me, the only way to describe it is that it's like being in spaceraiders where the stars (while dots on a realy old screen) are buzzing towards you. Often I can sense it's going to happen and by looking around I can stop it, but if not I lose sense of speed, I am in 100% control of the car though.  Weirdly it happens less when I'm driving alone, i think because I'm more nervous with a passenger  

I am 33 years old who and I have Hyperprolactinaemia which is controlled with Carbogoline, I know my levels are normal (was checked 2 months ago) but I have not had an MRI for 2 years so have to assume there is not associated tumour.

I have mentioned it to my optician, but she looked at me as though I was mad and didn't understand, so I'd like to know if anyone out there has had something similar and can offer advise

THanks

[Caver175]

Your description fits mine perfectly. Most of the time it triggers on a highway on a bright sunny day, it helps to look down at my dark dash for a second to temporarily stop the tunnel vision. It has a shadowy pattern which waves or flickers in my peripherals like gong through a worm hole. It upsets me to see everyone suffering from this with no answer and for years. I already suffer from an unknown ocular issue called 'visual snow'. This just takes the cake.

[geeno]

Find anything close to an answer yet?

[Mark30216]

I have had these symptoms ever since I started driving (9 years ago). It is the most frustrating thing ever and I have to drive a lot.  I have been to several doctors and had several false diagnosis.  Too this day this issue still plagues me.  When driving on the highway I basically have to be ready to get off at each exit.  When in high school my drive was only 8-10 minutes to school and even that short driver triggered the symptoms.  One thing I have noticed is the symptoms are often a lot worse during the day and in days when the sun is really bright.  There are also some nights when the symptoms don't exist, leading me to believe it may have something to do with light sensitivity.  I also believe the consistent vibrations of the car put me in a relaxed state, even as a passenger I cannot stay awake in a car for more than 5 minutes. Someone help us and cure this!

[Ajw89]

I also have this on and off for a few years now it started when i was around 21/22 im now 26! I generally put it down to beeing tierd! i dont need glasses! Ive never spoken to anyone professional about it before as its a strange sensation to explain with out people looking at you like your crazy! It only happens on motorways and mostly at night but being someone who has to do alot of commuting up and down the motorway it would be nice to get some answers and its nice to find that im not the only person who has this!

[sncn73]

I have the same thing. It started while driving at night on a highway @60 mph when it was raining very heavily. I remember having similar but less intense episodes while driving in heavy snow but this time is persists for almost a week now. Similar to all others stated, I use glasses, work with computers, 42 yo male who is in generally good health otherwise. I drink one cup of coffee in the morning. It mostly happens when it is dark and when driving on the highway -straight line- but can also happen at 30-40 mph on a straight lane at night. I am usually fine during the morning commute and daytime driving even on highways. It seemed sooo weird when I first had it but I told my wife and she says she has episodes like this too. May be this is a more common phenomenon than I thought it would be.  Please keep posting updates and details about your case. Has anyone had a physician (ENT, Neuro, Eye)  who told them they have heard this condition before? and if so who was that doctor?

[geeno]

Any answers to this yet?

[browsingandreading]

Also I often wondered why it happened more when I was tired (with two kids that is unfortunately more common for me these days). And if muscle weakness is a cause of my cross eye that would explain why it's worse at those times.

I hope that all helps someone else. I aim to always drive safely and have not been driving. I am happy to have found my solution.

[browsingandreading]

I just wanted to tell you all I've been researching this myself, same floating feeling/like a video game had me concerned, just as the first comment described but I know it wasn't really tunnel vision because that would imply I had lost my peripheral vision. Was concerned that an eye doctor wouldn't understand

I found out that while I'm not a young child (which is more common) I have cross eye (and no it doesn't look as though I do).... I had two separate eye doctors tell me the same thing. One eye doctor told me that normally glasses that address near sightedness (things far away) make it worse for most people, but for whatever reason it makes it better... for most people it's the opposite, as cross eye can be from severe far sightedness (trouble with things close up) or poor eye muscle control, which must be what I deal with.

Either way although my general vision is not horrible, the glasses make a big change on this feeling....and i have no eye disease or other diseases that have been found. It's been bothering me for some time. Thought this would shed some light on what others may read and be concerned about...they did a simple screen for me during my eye exams. Didn't even require dilation.

[geeno]

Any answers to what it is or what its even called? Its been called a "Trance" which seems pretty accurate. Its hard to explain to people what we go through