At night, our eyes work differently and we see differently. In fact, it is even more difficult to see at night with fatigue and with age. This can become a real danger if, for example, you often drive at night. So here are some great tips:
What is night blindness?
A person suffering from night blindness does not mean that they go completely blind at night. This disorder means that an individual will have difficulty distinguishing objects or shapes in the dark. Poor night vision is a symptom of an underlying eye condition that causes visual impairment in low light. For example, poor night vision could prevent someone from seeing stars at night or obstacles in a dark room.
What are the causes of night blindness?
Age
Age is a major factor of blindness, because just as the body ages, so too does the eye. That is, the pupils do not dilate like they used to in the dark. Corneas also enable less light from passing through, as you age – increasing the amount of glare you can see and contributing to poor night vision. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this.
Glaucoma
Watch out for those who suffer from glaucoma and who often drive at night! This disorder opposes the buildup of pressure in the eye and affects peripheral vision. Without peripheral vision, it is difficult to see what is going on around us.
Cataract
A cataract is characterized as a veil over the eye, causing you to see blurry images. Cataract can have a significant impact on night vision by accentuating glare and halos from oncoming headlights.
Diabetic
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of retinal blindness in adults under 65. This disorder can therefore cause significant loss of vision.
Nutrient deficiency
Vitamin A deficiency can result in loss of vision at night. This is quite rare, however. You also need to get enough zinc, as it will help the body absorb vitamin A.
What preventive measures to adopt?
It is necessary to wear eyeglasses or special and adapted contact lenses. In some cases like cataracts, your best bet is to turn to a surgeon. However, if you suffer from Vitamin A deficiency, you can easily remedy it without having to see a specialist.
Good sources of vitamin A are eggs, fortified cereals and milk, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, cod liver oil, and dark leafy green vegetables.
However, do you want to see a specialist? Make an appointment now at Patel Optics to receive the best advice.
