Night blindness or in other words, nyctalopia is a health condition where the affected individual can’t manage to see properly at night.
These individuals often find it hard to appreciate the beauty of the stars. And at times the condition can become worse and the simple basic tasks can become nothing short of a challenge for these individuals.
There are many causes of night blindness. For many causes, we can have some suitable solutions but as far as genetic causes are concerned we cannot do much about them.
So let us discover the causes of night blindness. Also in this blog, we will be conversing on the home remedies that can help to improve night vision. So without wasting any further time, let us jump straight into the discussion of the main topic.
Table of Contents
Overview
Night blindness or nyctalopia is defined as the inability to see things properly in poor lighting conditions. By poor lighting conditions, we mean even the theatre rooms with lowlights can interfere with the normal vision of these individuals. However, this poor night vision can be attributed to a normal part of ageing but there are some conditions that can deteriorate the vision even in the early phase of life.
Reasons For Night Blindness
The major reasons for night blindness are as follows:
1- Problems with the Inner layer of the Eye
The problems with the innermost layer of your eyes will also cause night vision problems. The inner layer of the eye is called the retina. This layer has many specialized cells that are present there to perceive dim and bright light.
So if those cells which are concerned with the perception of dim light( called rod cells) are not working properly then those individuals will face issues in properly observing things in dark and low lighting conditions.
This can even include moving from bright sunlight to a normal room with normal lighting conditions.
Now coming to the part that why these rod cells are not working properly it may have many reasons. It can be caused due to some injury or some other health condition.
2- Nearsightedness
Individuals who are nearsighted often find it difficult to observe the things that are present at a specific distance. With that being said it is also difficult for such individuals to have a proper vision in low lights.
In this case, it is the lens of the eyes that has issues and can be rectified by using spectacles that are specifically designed to treat myopia or nearsightedness.
Side Note: try these 6 easy exercises to improve eyesight fast.
3- Cataract
Though cataracts affect older people more, the chances to contract cataracts are largely increased if there are any underlying health problems.
Cataracts can be formed due to a deficiency of essential nutrients and they can also be formed due to the breakdown of protein in the eyes that causes clouding of the eye lens. These cataracts can severely impede the nighttime vision of the affected individuals.
Another closely related condition that can affect night vision includes glaucoma. In this condition, the optic nerve is damaged and this results in poor vision.
4- Diabetes
High amounts of sugar in the blood can affect the eyes as well. Diabetic patients are at a greater risk of developing cataracts. These cataracts of the eye then obstruct the light entering the eyes at night and can result in poor vision. Also, high amounts of sugar can disrupt normal blood pressure and can also affect ocular blood pressure. These conditions then affect the vision.
Diagnosis of Night Blindness
The mere symptom of poor vision at night serves as a major diagnostic tool for night blindness. The doctors often suggest multiple tests from normal blood glucose levels to corneal topography and many more. Then after carefully observing the records, the doctor will suggest a suitable solution accordingly.
Treatment Options
Dr. Awais Shabbir is one of the best and most distinguished ophthalmologists in Lahore. With 21 years of experience in the field, Dr. Awais Shabbir can treat all kind of eye disorders.
There are many treatment options available. But these treatment plans are made to target the specific causes of night blindness.
- For cataracts, laser eye surgery is the new method that is adopted the world over. The surgery removes the affected lens and replaces them with a suitable new artificial lens.
- For diabetic patients, doctors may suggest medications that can help to keep the glucose levels in check.
- But as far as some genetic conditions are concerned, we don’t have plenty of options. The only thing that can be done in that regard is to prevent the vision from receding at a faster rate.
Home Remedies to Improve Night Visio
Vitamin A Consumption
The main reason for decreasing night vision includes the deficiency of vitamin A. So in order to improve night vision, consider taking vitamin A in the required amount. The list of products that can help with levels of vitamin A in the body is as follows:
- Carrots
- Sweet potatoes
- Mangoes
- Dairy products like milk and yogurt
- spinach
Side Read: Find out 5 amazing health benefits of multivitamins.
1- Eye Exercises
Consider doing eye exercises that can help to improve vision. These exercises can be done in the morning or at night just before going to bed. This will help to improve blood circulation and will also help in promoting the growth of cells.
2- Eye Massage
Give your eyes a light massage with some oil. This will also help to improve blood circulation and will also help in keeping the muscles of the eyes relaxed.
3- Red Tinted Glass
Consider using red-tinted glass. This will help to acclimatize your eyes to dark conditions. These red-tinted glasses are used by the aviators when they are short of time to adjust the lighting conditions.
4- Sit in the Dark for a While
Though it may sound like something weird, in reality, it has been shown to be an effective way to treat night vision problems. The eye lens often tries its best to acclimatize to dark conditions. So what if you give them dark conditions for some time? This will surely help the person who is planning to go out in dark or dim lighting conditions.
The Final Outlook
Night blindness is no doubt a cumbersome situation where you have to take care of minute things. You should avoid driving in dark or poor lighting conditions. If you are driving on a bright sunny day then consider wearing sunglasses. This will help with the vision. Also, don’t forget to make up the diet. The diet should contain essential supplements. If you want to get the best advice then make an appointment today with the best ophthalmologist in the area. To get yourself updated on general health issues, visit our website Healthwire.
