Night blindness or nyctalopia is an eye disorder that causes the sufferer to have difficulty seeing night or moment be in a place that dark. Night blindness isn't ith disease, but rather a symptom caused by a particular disease.
Night blindness can be caused by a lack of vitamin A or other diseases, such as cataracts, nearsightedness, or glaucoma. To determine the cause, the doctor will perform a thorough examination of the eye, including to see the condition of the retina.
Causes of Night Blindness
The main cause of night blindness is damage to the retinal stem cells, which are the eye's sensory nerve cells that work in low light. This condition is usually triggered by various things, such as:
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Nearsightedness or the inability of the eye to see distant objects
- Cataract, which is a clouding disease in the lens of the eye that often occurs in the elderly or diabetics
- Retinitis pigmentosa, which is a hereditary disease that causes damage to the retina
- Glaucoma, which is a disease that causes damage to the optic nerve due to increased pressure inside the eye
- Keratoconus, which is a disease that causes thinning of the corneal layer
Symptoms of Night Blindness
Night blindness makes it difficult for sufferers to see their surroundings in dark conditions, either at night or when in a room with poor lighting (dim). This can make night blindness sufferers often bump into objects around them.
These symptoms will be more pronounced when the sufferer moves from a bright room to a dark room. In addition, night blindness will also make it difficult for sufferers to drive at night, due to insufficient or intermittent light.
When to go to the doctor
Immediately consult your doctor if you have trouble seeing at night. This condition can be characterized by:
- Difficulty moving or moving around in a dark environment
- Find it harder to drive at night
- Difficulty recognizing faces of people around at night
Night blindness diagnosis
The doctor will ask about the symptoms felt and the patient's medical history. After that, the doctor will perform a series of eye examinations to determine the cause of the complaints experienced. Inspections that will be carried out include:
- Visual acuity test or eye refraction test
- Visual field check
- Pupil reflex test to light
- Examination with an ophthalmoscope and slit lamp
- Color blind test
- Electroretinogram (ERG) examination
In addition, blood tests may also be done to check blood sugar and vitamin A levels.
Night blindness treatment
Treatment for night blindness will depend on the severity and cause. For example, if the condition is mild, night blindness can be treated with contact lenses or glasses.
Here are night blindness treatments based on the cause:
Kvitamin A deficiency
Doctors will provide vitamin A supplements and advise patients to eat foods rich in vitamin A, such as liver, egg yolks, fish oil, and yellow, orange, or red vegetables.
Cataract
Night blindness caused by cataracts can be treated by surgically removing the cloudy lens of the eye (cataract surgery). After that, the doctor will install a lens implant or advise the patient to use contact lenses to treat blurry vision.
Glaucoma
Night blindness due to glaucoma is treated with eye drops containing prostaglandins, beta blockers, and beta-blockers alpha-adrenergic agonist. If needed, surgery can also be performed. The goal of treatment is to reduce pressure in the eye, thereby reducing damage to eye tissue.
Night blindness caused by genetic factors is generally not treatable. In this condition, the patient will be advised not to drive or do activities without adequate lighting, including at night.
Night Blindness Prevention
Night blindness cannot be completely prevented, especially if it is caused by genetic factors. However, there are things you can do to reduce the severity of the condition, such as:
- Eat foods that contain antioxidants and minerals
- Carry out regular check-ups and checkups if you have glaucoma
- Use glasses if you are nearsighted.
To avoid night blindness due to vitamin A deficiency, here are some food sources of vitamin A that you can consume:
- sweet potato
- Carrot
- Pumpkin
- Mango
- Spinach
- Mustard greens
- Milk
- Egg
If you have a family history of genetic eye diseases, such as keratoconus or retinitis pigmentosa, make regular consultations with your doctor.