Night blindness or nyctanopia: What's it, causes, symptoms, diagnostics, treatment, prevention

Vision – night blindness; Nyctanopia; Nyctalopia; Night blindness

night blindness: What's it?

night blindness, also known as night blindness and nyctanopia, represents a state, in which vision is impaired in low light conditions, eg, with a lack of vitamin A in the body. This symptom may be associated with various diseases and nutritional deficiencies..

Causes of night blindness

night blindness, or night blindness, may be caused by vitamin A deficiency or other factors, that affect vision. Here are some of the possible causes of night blindness:

1. Vitamin A deficiency: Vitamin A plays a key role in maintaining vision, especially in low light conditions. If the body does not get enough of this vitamin, this can lead to impaired night vision and cause night blindness.
2. Poor diet: Lack of food, rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene, May cause night blindness. Children are especially at risk, pregnant women and people, malnourished.
3. Alcoholism: Chronic alcohol use can affect the body's metabolism of vitamin A and lead to vitamin A deficiency., what can contribute to the development of night blindness.
4. Disease, affecting nutrient absorption: Some diseases, such as celiac disease (gluten intolerance) or chronic pancreatitis (Pancreatic inflammation), can lead to poor absorption of nutrients, including vitamin A.
5. Other pathological conditions: Some diseases, such as genetic metabolic disorders, may affect the formation and use of vitamin A in the body, which can also cause night blindness.

Important to note, that vitamin A deficiency can have serious consequences for vision and general health. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to your diet and monitor the level of nutrients in the body..

Night blindness symptoms

Night blindness symptoms, or night blindness, associated with visual impairment in low light conditions. People with this condition may experience the following symptoms:

1. Difficulty seeing in the dark: One of the main symptoms of night blindness – impaired vision in low light. People may have difficulty distinguishing objects and contours in low light conditions, especially at night.
2. Decreased sensitivity to light: Patients with night blindness may feel increased sensitivity to bright light when moving from a dark room to a bright street..
3. Difficulty adapting to the dark: When going from bright to dark, people with night blindness may have difficulty adjusting their eyes to low light levels.
4. Dryness and irritation of the eyes: Vitamin A deficiency can also affect the condition of the mucous membrane of the eyes., causing dryness, irritation and discomfort.

These symptoms may become more pronounced with a lack of vitamin A in the body and may affect the quality of life., especially in low light conditions.

When to see a doctor

If you have signs of night blindness or other vision problems, should immediately consult a doctor:

• Difficulty seeing in the dark becomes a constant symptom.
• Symptoms worsen and begin to affect your ability to carry on with your daily life.
• Do you have risk factors?, such as poor nutrition or chronic diseases.

Questions, which the doctor may ask

When contacting a doctor, you may be asked the following questions:

• How long do you notice vision problems in low light conditions?
• Do you have other symptoms, related to vision?
• What is your diet and general health?
• Do you drink alcohol or suffer from chronic diseases??

Diagnosis of night blindness

Diagnosis of night blindness includes a number of methods, which help determine the presence of vitamin A deficiency or other factors, that can affect vision. Here are some of the possible diagnostic methods:

1. Medical checkup: Your doctor will do an eye exam and ask you questions about your symptoms., which you are experiencing, as well as your medical history.
2. Blood test: Blood levels of vitamin A can help determine, are you deficient in this important nutrient.
3. Dark adaptation test: The doctor may perform a special test, at which you will move from bright lighting to a dark room, and the doctor will evaluate, how quickly do you adapt to a lack of light.
4. Inspection with night tests: In some cases, the doctor may use overnight tests., such as checking your vision in low light conditions or comparing your night and day vision.
5. Additional research: In some cases, if other diseases or factors are suspected, that can affect vision, additional studies may be ordered.

Diagnosis of night blindness is important in determining the cause of symptoms and developing a treatment plan.. If you have problems with night vision or suspected night blindness, it is recommended to consult a doctor for a detailed examination and obtaining the necessary assistance.

Night blindness treatment

The treatment of night blindness is associated with the elimination of deficiency of vitamin A or other nutrients., that can affect vision. Depending on the cause and degree of deficiency, Your doctor may recommend the following treatments:

1. Taking vitamin preparations: Your doctor may prescribe vitamin A supplements for you.. The dosage will depend on the degree of deficiency and your general health.. It could be vitamin A in the form of retinol or beta-carotene, which the body can convert to vitamin A.
2. Change in diet: Inclusion in the diet, rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene, can help eliminate deficiency. These foods include carrots., sweet potato, pumpkin, spinach, red peppers and fish oil.
3. Additional food: In some cases, the doctor may prescribe multivitamin complexes or supplements., containing vitamin A and other nutrients.
4. Compliance with doctor's recommendations: It is important to strictly follow all the doctor's prescriptions and recommendations for taking vitamins and changing the diet..
5. Exclusion of risk factors: If night blindness is associated with other diseases, such as alcoholism or pathological conditions, a doctor may recommend treatment or monitoring to address risk factors.

Prevention of night blindness

Prevention of night blindness is aimed at maintaining sufficient levels of vitamin A in the body and ensuring eye health.. Here are some recommendations, to help you prevent vitamin A deficiency and related problems:

1. Diverse food: Check, that your diet includes a wide variety of foods, rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene. These foods include orange-colored vegetables. (carrot, pumpkin, sweet potato), greens (spinach, broccoli, leafy salads), red peppers, fish fat, dairy products and eggs.
2. Balanced Diet: Stay tuned, so that your diet is balanced and includes not only food, rich in vitamin A, but also other important nutrients.
3. Restriction of alcohol consumption: If you have a habit of drinking alcohol, try to limit it. Chronic alcoholism may affect vitamin A metabolism.
4. Maintaining General Health: Healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity, smoking cessation and chronic disease management, contributes to the overall health of the body, including eyes.
5. Consultation with a doctor: Regular visits to the doctor will help keep track of your vision and overall health.. The doctor can conduct the necessary tests and give recommendations for additional intake of vitamins or additional prevention..
6. Eye Care: Maintain eye hygiene, avoid overwork, choose the right contact lens care products, Avoid contact with irritants.

Following these guidelines will help you maintain eye health and prevent vitamin A deficiency and night blindness.. It is important to remember, that taking care of your health – a key factor in the prevention of various diseases, including those related to vision.

Used sources and literature

Tall DUTY. Color vision and night vision. In: Sadda SVR, Saraf D, friend KB, et al, eds. Ryan’s Retina.7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 11.

Cukras CA, Zein WM, Caruso RC, Sieving PA. Progressive and “stationary” inherited retinal degenerations. In: Yanoff M, Tablecloths JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 6.14.

Duncan JL, Pierce her, Laster AM, et al. Inherited retinal degenerations: current landscape and knowledge gaps. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2018;7(4):6. PMID: 30034950 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30034950/.

Fenner BJ, so you, Barathi AV, et al. Gene-based therapeutics for inherited retinal diseases. Front Genet. 2022;12:794805. PMID: 35069693 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35069693/.

Thurtell MJ, Prasad S., Tomsak RL. Neuro-ophthalmology: afferent visual system. In: Daroff RB, Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, eds. Bradley and Daroff’s Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 16.