Shedding Light on Night Blindness - Pepose Vision Institute

Shedding Light on Night Blindness

Posted by: Pepose Vision Institute in Pepose Info on December 5, 2016

It’s no surprise that most people don’t see well in the dark. However, some people have considerable difficulty seeing at night or in poor light. This is called night blindness (eye doctors call it nyctalopia). Night blindness doesn’t mean you are completely unable to see at night, but that your vision is poorer then. It is not a disease in itself, but instead is a symptom of some other type of vision problem.

In some cases, being very nearsighted (myopic) can make it hard to see at night or in low light.

Certain cells in the eye’s retina are responsible for allowing you to see in dim light. If these cells are affected by a disease or condition, night blindness occurs.

Some of the eye conditions that can cause night blindness include:

  • Nearsightedness (seeing well up close but not far away)
  • Glaucoma (a disease of the optic nerve connecting the eye to the brain)
  • Medicine for glaucoma that constricts (narrows) the pupil
  • Cataracts (cloudiness of the eye’s naturally clear lens)
  • Diabetes (uncontrolled blood sugar levels)
  • Retinitis pigmentosa (an eye disease that causes blindness)
  • Too little Vitamin A
  • Keratoconus (having a cornea that is very steeply curved)

Is bumping and tripping through your darkened house normal or a symptom of something else?

If you aren’t sure whether you have night blindness, consider the following questions:

  • Do you find yourself having trouble moving around your house at night, even with small night lights?
  • Is driving at night becoming more difficult?
  • Do you avoid going outside at night for fear of tripping?
  • Do you have trouble recognizing people’s faces in darkened settings?
  • Does it take your eyes a long time to adjust to light when coming in from the darkness?
  • Similarly, does it take you a long time to adjust to seeing anything in a darkened room?

If you have any concerns about your ability to see in the dark or in dim light, please make an appointment with us. Having a comprehensive eye exam will help identify any condition affecting your vision and help protect the health of your eyes.


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