Understanding Nyctalopia or Night Blindness

Nyctalopia is the official term given to a condition that is also known as night blindness. A person affected by nyctalopia has a visual defect where eye sight is normal or good during the daylight or with normal lighting, but is challenged during the night or without sufficient lighting. Another term for night blindness is" impaired dark adaptation."

Nyctalopia or night blindness can be caused by several factors. One of the more common is a vitamin A deficiency, but it can also be caused by cataracts, atrophy of the optic nerve, Retinitis pigmentosa (an eye disease where there is damage to the retina of the eye), and possible strain or injury to the eye. Overexposure to the sun or ultraviolet light can also cause nyctalopia.

People affected by this condition may have a difficult time adjusting from a lightened area or situation to a darkened one and may also have a difficult time seeing to drive at night.

The first step for people having trouble with their night vision or vision in the darkness is to seek medical attention. While there is no known cure for nyctalopia, and it does have a tendency to be progressive, or to get worse over time - a doctor may be able to determine the exact cause and provide some relief or treatment for conditions such as cataracts, eye strain, etc.

A doctor will perform tests to determine the exact situation. These tests may involve an eye examination - including color defectiveness determination and pupillary reflex response (among other screenings and tests), an ultrasound, and an electroretinogram. Upon diagnosis, an individual affected by nyctalopia or night blindness will likely be referred to a specialist (if not prior to diagnosis to determine the exact elements of the condition.) Surgery may be necessary for cataracts or other conditions that can be corrected or improved using this method.

The overall outlook for those who have night blindness is that the condition will get progressively worse over time. Peripheral, and eventually, loss of central vision will likely occur. While it is rare, complete blindness may result from nyctalopia. Sometimes this condition appears in children, but does not seem to develop into a serious of severe problem until adulthood.

It is thought that there is a genetic component to nyctalopia or night blindness as the condition has a tendency to run in families. If symptoms present themselves, it is important to see a doctor to rule out other conditions and development a treatment plan.