Night blindness, known scientifically as nictalopie, is the difficulty of seeing in low-light environments, as happens at night, when it is darker. However, people with this disorder may have a completely normal vision during the day.
However, night blindness is not a disease, but a symptom or complication of another problem, such as xerophthalmia, cataracts, glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy. The case is always important to consult an ophthalmologist to assess the presence of another eye disease and initiate appropriate treatment.
- Therefore.
- Night blindness is curable.
- Depending on its cause.
- Especially when treatment starts quickly and for the right cause.
The main symptom of night blindness is the difficulty of seeing in dark environments, especially when moving from a bright environment to a darker environment, such as entering the house or at sunset, for example. For example, people with untreated night blindness should avoid driving at the end of the day or at night to ensure their safety.
This difficulty seeing occurs when levels of a pigment in retinal receptors, known as rhodopsin, decrease, affecting the eye’s ability to process low-light objects.
These receptors are often affected by a lack of vitamin A, which causes xerophthalmia, but may also be altered in cases of other eye diseases such as glaucoma, retinopathy, myopia or retinosis pigmentosa, for example.
Learn more about identifying and treating xerophthalmia
Treatment of night blindness depends on the cause of changes in retinal receptors. As a result, some of the most commonly used techniques include:
In addition, if another retinal disease is identified, your doctor may order more tests such as an optical tomography or ultrasound to confirm the adaptation of treatment, which may take longer.