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PhrasesAt the OpticianHo difficoltà a vedere di notte, specialmente guidando.
B2

Ho difficoltà a vedere di notte, specialmente guidando.

I have difficulty seeing at night, especially while driving.

Pronunciation

NOT-te — two syllables, double 't'. 'Guidando' — gwi-DAN-do.

When to use it

Report night vision problems to an optician or ophthalmologist. Night vision difficulties while driving require careful assessment.

What it means

'Difficoltà a vedere di notte' = difficulty seeing at night. 'Visione notturna' = night vision. 'Abbagliamento' = glare (from oncoming headlights). 'Aloni attorno alle luci' = halos around lights. Causes: uncorrected refractive error (especially astigmatism), early cataract, vitamin A deficiency, retinitis pigmentosa. An anti-reflective coating on glasses significantly improves night driving.

Variations

Vedo gli aloni attorno ai fari delle macchine.

I see halos around car headlights.

Halos around lights — can indicate cataract or insufficient correction of astigmatism

Di notte abbaglio facilmente con le luci in arrivo.

I am easily dazzled by oncoming lights at night.

Light sensitivity — may benefit from anti-reflective coating or yellow-tinted lenses

La mia patente richiede la correzione per guidare.

My driving licence requires correction for driving.

If required on the licence, you must always wear glasses/lenses while driving in Italy

Mini Dialogue

— Ho difficoltà a vedere di notte, specialmente guidando. È pericoloso. — Porta gli occhiali quando guida? — Sì, ma vedo comunque gli aloni attorno ai fari. — Ha le lenti antiriflesso? — No, quelle normali. — Ecco il problema. Con il rivestimento antiriflesso la visione notturna migliora di molto. Le consiglio di aggiungerlo.

— I have difficulty seeing at night, especially while driving. It is dangerous. — Do you wear glasses when you drive? — Yes, but I still see halos around headlights. — Do you have anti-reflective lenses? — No, plain ones. — That is the problem. With anti-reflective coating night vision improves significantly. I recommend adding it.

Cultural Note

Night driving in Italy requires specific minimum visual standards — tested at the 'motorizzazione civile' (DVLA equivalent) when obtaining or renewing a driving licence. If night vision problems develop, the ophthalmologist must update the driving licence with any restrictions. Anti-reflective coatings on glasses are particularly important in Italy given the prevalence of bright LED headlights on modern vehicles. Italy's 'Codice della Strada' (Highway Code) requires drivers who need corrective lenses to always wear them.