What is Night Blindness?
Night blindness, also known as nyctalopia, occurs when the eyes have difficulty adapting to low light or darkness. Normally, in a healthy person, the eyes quickly adjust to dim light. In this condition, the ability to see in low light or darkness is impaired, although it does not lead to complete blindness.
Nyctalopia can also be a result of various other conditions and is not considered a disease on its own. Retinitis pigmentosa is one of the most common causes. This condition affects the photoreceptor cells responsible for vision in the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye.
The age at which night blindness occurs, its progression, and severity vary from person to person.
What Causes Night Blindness?
The retina contains cells that help us see in both light and dark environments. These cells adjust the light levels within the cells when light is insufficient, allowing for vision.
The main cause of reduced vision is the malfunction of photoreceptor cells in the retina. These malfunctions can lead to various functional issues in light perception. Night blindness can also be caused by the following conditions:
Additionally, some corneal surgeries and medications can also be among the causes of night blindness.
Symptoms of Night Blindness
Symptoms of night blindness can manifest in various ways. If it is due to the genetically inherited condition retinitis pigmentosa, the symptoms and progression can vary significantly from person to person. While it generally appears in childhood, it can also manifest at younger ages.
The condition affects both eyes, but predicting the progression speed and the degree of vision loss is difficult at the onset. While it does not lead to total blindness, there is a progressive narrowing of peripheral vision and reduced vision in low-light conditions. Night blindness has the following symptoms:
Symptoms of night blindness can also stem from various other eye problems.
Diagnosis of Night Blindness
The diagnosis of night blindness involves measuring the transition from light to dark. This is done through field tests to check the control of pigment cells in the retina. Finally, the quality of vision in low light is assessed.
Electroretinography and fundus examinations can also be performed to determine if there are any underlying eye diseases. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for maintaining eye health, similar to many other eye conditions.
How is Night Blindness Treated?
Night blindness can be caused by multiple diseases. To determine the exact treatment method for the patient, the underlying condition causing the vision problem must be identified. Therefore, a patient experiencing significant vision loss in low light should undergo a thorough examination by an eye doctor.
If the underlying cause of night blindness is due to cataracts or keratoconus, surgical options may be considered. For cataract surgery, an intelligent lens procedure can be performed to replace the eye's lens, resulting in clear vision at all distances and improved night vision.
Rigid contact lenses used in the treatment of keratoconus can also improve vision beyond correcting refractive errors and enhance night vision.
How Much Does Night Blindness Treatment Cost?
The cost of night blindness treatment varies depending on the underlying cause and the type of operation to be performed. The treatment plan determined by our specialist eye doctor after a detailed examination can differ from person to person.
For appointment and price information, please click here.The above information is provided for informational purposes only. If you have any medical concerns or questions, please make an appointment with our eye doctors.