Night blindness, also known as nyctalopia, doesn’t mean you’re truly blind. But having this condition does mean you may have difficulty with tasks such as driving at night or moving around your house in dim light.
The good news is that night blindness is frequently caused by certain health conditions, which are often easy to treat. Making simple lifestyle changes can also make a big difference.
Start by talking with your eye doctor. Nishika M. Reddy, MD, an ophthalmologist at the John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah, stresses the importance of receiving an annual eye exam, especially as one ages.
“During the eye exam, we can check for many of these conditions,” Reddy says. “We will also be able to detect diseases and problems you may not notice until they are serious.”
Causes of night blindness
Night blindness is often a symptom of another health problem, such as:
- Myopia or nearsightedness: An eye exam can reveal whether vision can be improved with glasses. Often, people who can see better up close but not as well far away will find their vision improves at night when they wear glasses.
- Vitamin A deficiency: Low levels of vitamin A can cause symptoms of night blindness. Supplements and dietary changes can often reverse those symptoms. Eating foods rich in vitamin A, such as leafy greens, eggs, oranges, cantaloupe, and sweet potatoes, can help.
- Cataracts: A slow-progressing cataract may make it more difficult for someone to see at night. Your doctor may recommend a common surgery to replace your clouded natural lens with an Significantly clearer night vision may result.
Steps to prevent night blindness
- Add anti-reflective coating. An anti-reflective coating on eyeglasses can help reduce glare, especially while driving at night.
- Avoid looking at headlights. Don’t look at oncoming headlights while driving. Keep your eyes on the road.
- Adjust rearview mirror settings. Use your car’s rearview mirror night mode to reduce glare.
- Clean your headlights. Clean your car’s headlights to increase their brightness and make it easier to see the road.
- Change windshield wipers. Change windshield wipers every six to 12 months to increase visibility for the driver.
- Ask about medications. Discuss your medications with your provider to see if they may be affecting your vision. Medications with links to night blindness include antihistamines, anti-depressants, birth control pills, and more.
Unfortunately, not every cause of night blindness is treatable. Certain genetic disorders, such as retinitis pigmentosa, can cause night blindness, which may get worse as people age. But in most cases, night blindness is your body’s signal that something isn’t working right. Talk with your doctor to find out how you can improve your vision.