If you have difficulty seeing things at night or in situations with poor light, then you may be suffering from nyctalopia or night blindness. Night blindness affects over 20 million Americans, a majority of which is aged 60 years old and above, however many optometrist and ophthalmology experts note that the condition can also present itself in children as young as four years old. So what causes night blindness and what treatments are available for it?
Let our eye specialists at Eyes On Norbeck give you a quick overview of night blindness and how to manage its symptoms.
What Is Nyctalopia?
Despite its name, night blindness does not cause actual blindness. People who suffer from the condition simply have very poor vision in low-light conditions. Nyctalopia, itself, is not a condition on its own. It’s typically a symptom of other more serious conditions such as myopia, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. Sometimes, excessive use of computers can cause temporary nyctalopia however you will need a computer vision exam to determine its true causes.
How Is Nyctalopia Treated?
Once diagnosed, the treatment for nyctalopia involves addressing the underlying issue that causes it. If your night blindness is caused by cataracts and glaucoma, your doctor will usually begin the treatment for these conditions and you should see changes in your night blindness afterward. Retinal conditions such as myopia might require more time, however, they are not completely untreatable.
Avoiding Nyctalopia
Unfortunately, there are no eyeglasses that can help you see better in the dark. However, getting the right vitamins and minerals that can keep your eyes healthy can slow down or even prevent its effects. Early detection of eye conditions is also essential to make sure that your eyes are not prone to developing nyctalopia.
At Eyes On Norbeck, we are your leading provider of eye care, diagnosis and treatment. Give us a call at (301) 241-0553 or fill out our online contact form to make an appointment today. Our services are available in Rockville, MD.
