Causes of Night Blindness

Night blindness is also known as nyctalopia, a vision impairment that makes it difficult for individuals to see in dimly lit places or at night. Night blindness is not a disease but an indication of an existing condition in the body.

The human eye has the natural ability to adapt to dark or poorly lit places. When you have night blindness, you lose this ability. You do not experience complete vision loss or blindness, but adapting to low light becomes difficult. Your eyes may also take longer to adjust when transitioning from a lit place to a dark setting.

Night blindness is a symptom of an underlying condition. Below are some of the causes of night blindness.

Nearsightedness

Individuals with nearsightedness see near objects clearly but do not distinctly see those at a distance. Nearsightedness occurs when your eye shape refracts light rays incorrectly. As a result, the eye focuses images on the front of the retina instead of behind it.

Nearsightedness can develop gradually or quickly. The condition worsens during childhood or in the adolescent stages. As the eyes grow long, your retina cannot focus light as it should. Individuals with myopia struggle to see a few feet ahead, and being in darkness or poorly lit areas further limits their field of vision.

If you struggle to see things at a distance and the quality of your vision is poor, it is ideal to see an eye doctor at Primary Vision Care. Doing so can help you know the extent of the problem, and your specialist can advise you on your vision correction options.

Cataracts

Cataracts form when the natural lens of your eye becomes cloudy. As a result, the cloudiness limits optimum light from entering your eye, leading to visual problems in dark places or dim light. Fortunately, there is a treatment for cataracts.

You can go through surgery where your doctor can remove the clouded eye lens and replace it with an artificial one. Doing so will help restore your good vision. Your eyes will see clearly and eliminate difficulty seeing in darkness or dim light.

Glaucoma

Your peripheral vision can reduce when the pressure in your eyes builds up due to glaucoma. If you don’t get treatment, you can become completely blind. Most people with glaucoma take medication that constricts their pupils. As a result, less light gets into their eyes, causing night vision impairment.

Vitamin A Deficiency

Vitamin A is essential for the health of your eyes. It helps in the processing of images. The vitamin transforms your nerve impulses into images in your retina, allowing you to see things.

Vitamin A deficiency impairs your eyes’ capability to complete the imaging process. It will make you lose night vision first. You can remedy the deficiency by eating a vitamin A-sufficient diet that includes:
 

• Oranges
   

• Carrots
   

• Sweet potatoes
   

• Pumpkins
   

• Milk
   

• Eggs
   

• Spinach

Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa is a condition that causes your retinal cells to break down, leading to their loss. As a result, you experience blindness. When your retina loses its rod cells, your night vision becomes affected. The condition has a genetic component and may run in your family.

Retinitis pigmentosa creates tunnel vision in a patient when the retina collects dark pigment cells. As a result, seeing in dim light becomes difficult. With time, you gradually lose your vision.

For more about night blindness, visit Primary Vision Care at Newark, Lancaster, Mount Vernon, Wilmington, or Waynesville, Ohio. You can also call (740) 299-1155, (740) 654-9909, (740) 393-6010, (937) 382-4933, or (513) 897-2211 to book an appointment today.