Patients with night blindness, also known as nyctalopia, have difficulty seeing at night or in dimly lit conditions. Night blindness can be a complication of myopia or retinal problems.
Find out what causes night blindness and how it can be treated from your local optometrist at Opti-Care.
Causes of Night Blindness
Myopic or nearsighted people may experience trouble seeing in the dark. Specific cells in the retina allow you to see in dimly lit environments. Once a disease impacts these cells, you can develop night blindness. Conditions that can cause night blindness include glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes, retinitis pigmentosa, vitamin A deficiency and keratoconus.
The only symptom of night blindness is difficulty seeing in the dark. Your eyes may take longer to adjust when you’re in a dark room. Consult your local specialist if you’re experiencing vision problems in dimly lit conditions. A comprehensive eye exam can help identify any underlying eye problem that may be causing the condition.
Treatment Options
Surgery can remove cataracts. Night blindness will dramatically improve after the procedure if cataracts are what’s causing the problem. Your doctor may recommend supplements if you have vitamin A deficiency.
However, if your night blindness is caused by a genetic condition such as retinitis pigmentosa, it can’t be treated. The eye condition causes the retina to become unresponsive to corrective lenses or surgery. People with this type of night blindness should avoid nighttime driving.
Regular eye exams can help in preventing certain eye diseases that may cause night blindness. Visit Opti-Care for your vision needs and expert eye care services. We offer eyeglasses, contact lenses, frame repairs, dry eye treatments, low vision care and more. Call us at (410) 600-3173 or fill out our online form to request an appointment. We help patients in Westminster and Marriottsville, MD.