This condition is characterized by the inability to see well at night or in poorly lit areas. Night blindness is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying retina problem. Some of the diseases that can cause night blindness include cataract, retinitis pigmentosa, vitamin A deficiency, myopia and medications used for glaucoma. The treatment of the night blindness is determined after a thorough eye examination and with a number of specialized tests. The treatment is based on the underlying condition and in some cases a new prescription eyeglass or changing the glaucoma medications may be sufficient.
Myopia
Also known as nearsightedness, it is characterized by the inability to see clearly objects that are further away but can see closer objects. This disorder develops when the light entering the eye cannot be focused properly because of the eyeball that is too long or when the cornea is more curved than normal. Myopia can develop because of various causes such as the excessive time spent on focusing on nearby objects or as the result of other conditions such as diabetes or cataract. The initial treatment option is the eyeglasses which can either be a single vision lens or the bifocal lens. Alternatively, a laser beam treatment can help reshape the cornea.
Cataract
This is the clouding of the lens that can affect a single or both the eyes. Cataract can develop over a period of time eventually disturbing the vision. Most of the cases are the result of a natural ageing process or from an injury affecting the tissue of the eye’s lens. Some of the risks of developing cataract include alcohol consumption, prolonged exposure to sun and smoking. The treatment of cataract is the surgery to replace the eye lens with an artificial lens.
Vitamin A deficiency
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin which is normally stored in the liver that is essential for the formation and the maintenance of healthy teeth, mucus membranes, skeletal and soft tissue. It is also known as retinol because it produces the pigments in the retina of the eye. Vitamin A is important for good night vision and is available in animal sources such as eggs, fortified milk, cheese, cream, liver, cod and meat. The vitamin A deficiency can cause eye problems such as reversible nigh blindness and the non-reversible corneal damage called xerophthalmia.
Retinitis pigmentosa
This is an eye disease characterized by the damage to the retina that is responsible for converting the light images to nerve signals which send them to the brain. This disorder can develop because of several genetic defects. Some of the symptoms of retinitis pigmentosa include decreased vision at night, loss of side vision and loss of central vision. There is no effective treatment available for this disorder but the use of sunglasses can protect the eyes from ultraviolet light to help preserve vision.
References
https://nei.nih.gov/health/errors/myopia
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002400.htm
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/night-blindness
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001029.htm
