24 years
I suffer from poor night vision to an extent im afraid of driving at night. I don't complain of blurred vision but it's either I see things not clear or darker. what can I do
Aug 31, 2014
The only symptom of night blindness is difficulty seeing in the dark. This is especially prominent when transitioning from a bright environment to an area of low light. Poor vision when driving results from the intermittent brightness of headlights and streetlights on the road.
Some types of night blindness have treatable causes, and others are not. You should first and foremost consult your doctor to identify the underlying cause of your vision impairment.
A number of eye conditions can cause night blindness, including:
• nearsightedness: blurred vision when looking at faraway objects. Corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses or contacts, can improve nearsighted vision both during the day and at night. If you still have trouble seeing in dim light even with corrective lenses, you should consult your ophthalmologist.
• retinitis pigmentosa: an uncommon genetic disorder that affects young people, usually before age 30. It occurs when dark pigment collects in your retina, creating tunnel vision. Worsening night vision is often the earliest symptom. Subsequently, there is a variable amount of loss of vision, although most people retain some eyesight. Genetic conditions that cause night blindness, such as retinitis pigmentosa, are not treatable. The genetic defect that causes pigment to build up in the retina does not respond to corrective lenses or surgery. People suffering from this form of night blindness should avoid driving at night.
• Sunlight exposure. If your night vision seems temporarily disturbed after a trip to the beach, this is the result of sustained bright sunlight, which can negatively affect night vision for up to two days. Wear your sunglasses regularly to avoid this cause of poor night vision.
• Vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A is an essential vitamin that helps keep the retina -- in the back of the eye -- healthy. Vitamin A deficiency is a rare cause of night blindness and is most common in patients who have abnormal absorption of nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract. This is encountered in different diseases and conditions such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, or pancreatic insufficiency. If your vitamin A levels are low, your doctor might recommend vitamin supplements. Take the supplements exactly as directed.
• Zinc deficiency. Zinc collaborates with vitamin A to exert its effects on the eye. Without zinc, the vitamin A that's present may not be as effective, and night blindness could result. Beef, poultry, beans, and nuts are rich sources of zinc.
• LASIK surgery problems. LASIK surgery is usually safe and has a low risk of complications. However, a minority of patients will experience night vision problems after LASIK. The most common complaint is distorted vision in the form of glare and halos around objects. Symptoms may be present during the day as well, but become more prominent and bothersome at night. Some people are more prone to developing night vision problems after LASIK. Those who are can be identified before the surgery based on characteristics of their eyes.
• cataracts: More commonly seen in the older population; it consists of a clouding of the eye’s lens
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• Diabetes. People with chronic diabetes are at higher risk for night vision problems. Over years, high blood sugar is toxic to the blood vessels and nerves in the eye, and accumulates in the retina -- the back of the eye where images are focused --, with gradual damage (retinopathy). In addition, diabetes increases the likelihood to develop cataracts (see abive). Two early signs of retinopathy from diabetes are poor night vision and taking a long time to see normally after coming indoors from bright light outside.
• Usher syndrome: a genetic condition that affects both hearing and vision
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Preventing Night Blindness
Eating foods rich in antioxidant vitamins and minerals are helpful in preventing cataracts. Foods with a high content of vitamin A aid in reducing your risk of night blindness. Orange-colored foods are excellent sources of vitamin A, including:
• cantaloupes
• sweet potatoes
• carrots
• pumpkins
• butternut squash
• mangoes
Spinach, collard greens, milk, and eggs also contain vitamin A.
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