Some types of night blindness are treatable, while others are not
If you have difficulty seeing in the dark or at night, you can suffer from night blindness – also known as nyctalopia. According to doctors, there can be several reasons behind it – which include genetic issues and, if not treated well in time can lead to permanent vision loss.
Even though night blindness implies that you are not able to see at night, this is not true, as according to experts, you may just have more difficulty seeing or driving in darkness. Some types of night blindness are treatable, while others are not. And so, once you know the cause, it becomes easier for the doctor to treat it.
What causes night blindness?
Vitamin A deficiency
Doctors say it is the most common reason why many people have night blindness. Rod cells—a sensitive type of eye cell that collects light for night vision. In vitamin A deficiency, there is reduced production of rhodopsin—a pigment that rod cells need to help see in low light.
Those at risk of vitamin A deficiency include those with these conditions or characteristics:
- Intestinal inflammation
-
Liver and pancreas diseases
- Intestinal inflammation
- Liver and pancreas diseases
- Severely restricted diets
Young children and women are people in low-income countries and populations of developing nations. Also, dietary changes like eating foods that are high in vitamin A, like green vegetables, carrots, sweet potatoes, eggs, cantaloupe, and oranges, can help reverse symptoms.
Injury
If there has been damage to the rod cells from an injury or disease, it makes it really difficult to see in low light or at night. Doctors say the injury can dilate your pupil in low light to let in more light, which is received by the retina.
Refractive surgery
Any kind of laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis or LASIK surgery can affect your vision at night – causing issues like:
- Difficulty seeing in low-light conditions
- Glare
- Halos around lights
- Noticeable visual disturbances when driving at night
- Starbursts around lights
Glaucoma
If there is high pressure in your eyes, it can damage the optic nerve and blood vessels. Doctors say it affects both daytime and nighttime vision, starting with peripheral vision and then moving to central vision.
Treatment options for night blindness
According to experts, once the reason behind night blindness gets diagnosed, a few treatable options can be explored, which include:
Nearsightedness
Corrective lenses like eyeglasses or contacts help improve short-sighted vision both during the day and at night.
Cataracts
Your surgeon can replace a cloudy lens with a clear, artificial one, which can help improve symptoms of night blindness significantly after surgery if cataracts are the underlying cause.
Vitamin A deficiency
If your vitamin A levels come out low after a blood test is done, your doctor may recommend taking supplements. Make sure to take them as directed to avoid unwanted side effects.
Genetic conditions causing night blindness, however, aren’t treatable. The gene that causes pigment to build up in the retina doesn’t respond to corrective lenses or surgery.
Can night blindness be prevented?
Doctors say if your night blindness is genetic, it cannot be prevented.
However, you must regularly monitor your blood sugar levels and eat a balanced diet to make it go away. Eating foods that are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals helps keep your eyes healthy. Also, choose foods that are loaded with high vitamin A levels to reduce your risk of night blindness. Certain orange-coloured foods are also excellent sources of vitamin A – even more than carrots, including:
- Apricots
- Sweet potatoes
- Pumpkin
- Cantaloupes
- Mangoes
