Do you have trouble seeing at night? Night vision problems, such as trouble adjusting different light conditions, are called night blindness. WebMD explains that night blindness can be caused by conditions including vitamin deficiency, underlying disease, early cataracts, and sun exposure.
Too Little Vitamin A or Zinc
Although it is rare in the United States, night vision problems can stem from a lack of nutrients in your diet. Vitamin A is found in leafy green vegetables and carrots. This vitamin keeps your eyes' retinas healthy. Conditions such as Crohn's and celiac disease or problems with the pancreas can block absorption of vitamin A. Zinc works with vitamin A to promote eye health. Add more zinc to your diet by eating beef, poultry, nuts, and beans, and ask your doctor whether vitamin A or zinc supplements would improve your night vision.
Too Much Sunlight
It's true that staring at the sun can damage your eyes, and too much sun exposure can cause night vision problems. A day at the pool or a week at the beach in bright, sustained sunlight can cause night blindness for a few days. Wear sunglasses if you're going to be outside for a prolonged period.
Cataracts
When the lens in your eye becomes cloudy, it's called a cataract. Cataracts are a natural part of aging, and one of the first cataract symptoms is problems seeing at night. Cloudiness of the lens causes distortion and can cause blurriness and halos around lights. It is not unusual to see cataracts in patients as young as 50. Cataracts can be removed with cataract surgery. For details on advanced cataract procedures that can restore distance and near vision, contact Woodhams Eye Clinic.
Diabetes
Diabetics are at higher risk for night vision problems because elevated blood sugar can damage nerves and blood vessels in the eyes as well as the retina (called retinopathy.) Two warning signs of retinopathy from diabetes are difficulty adjusting vision from outdoors to indoors and poor night vision. If you are diabetic, have your eyes examined regularly. If you are experiencing these symptoms, see your doctor to determine if you might be at risk for diabetes.
Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa is a genetic disorder that damages the retina and usually affects young people under 30. It is uncommon but causes varying amounts of vision loss. Difficulty seeing at night or worsening night vision problems are early symptoms. There is no treatment for the disease, but wearing sunglasses to protect the retinas from ultraviolet light may help slow damage.
LASIK Surgery
Some patients who have undergone LASIK surgery could develop complications that involve seeing halos around objects as well as glare that becomes worse at night. If you're considering LASIK surgery, your doctor may be able to determine whether you're at risk for this complication before surgery.
If you're experiencing night vision problems, avoid driving a car at night. Consult an eye doctor to see if your symptoms are treatable or are caused by another medical condition. If you're in the Atlanta area, contact Woodhams Eye Clinic to schedule a consultation with our experienced doctors.
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