Night blindness affects vision in low-light areas and can be caused by retinal problems, cataracts, retinitis pigmentosa, nearsightedness, poor diet, certain medications, and birth defects. Treatment options vary depending on the underlying cause.
Night blindness, also called nyctalopia or nyctanopia, is a medical condition that affects a person’s vision, particularly at night or in an area with little or no light. In addition to having difficulty seeing at night, a person with this condition may have difficulty seeing when moving from a brightly lit area to a dimly lit area. As a result, these people generally have difficulty driving at night or in the evening.
The underlying cause of night blindness is usually a problem with the retina. This is because the retina is made up of rods and cones, and the rods help the eye see in low-light areas. There are several medical conditions that can cause retinal problems and lead to vision problems in low light conditions.
A common cause is cataracts, which are cloudy or cloudy areas in the lens of the eye. This is more common in individuals over the age of 50. In a younger person, night blindness can often be the first sign of retinitis pigmentosa. This eye disease, which is genetically linked, damages the retina and gets progressively worse over time.
A person with nearsightedness, or nearsightedness, can also experience night blindness. With nearsightedness, the person has difficulty focusing on their eyes. As a result, distant objects appear blurry, and the person may also have difficulty adjusting to the dark.
A poor diet, especially a vitamin A deficiency, can also cause vision problems at night. Vitamin A is responsible for the health of skin and skeletal tissue. It also promotes good vision, especially in poorly lit areas. Vitamin A is found in whole milk, animal liver, and some foods that have been fortified. Supplements are also available to ensure a person gets enough to prevent night blindness.
Some medications can also cause night blindness, especially those that block the body’s ability to absorb vitamin A. Certain types of birth defects can also cause deformities in the retina and lead to this condition.
Depending on the underlying cause of the disorder, it may be treatable. Cataract removal, for example, can improve the condition. In some cases, eyeglasses can also be helpful.
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