Nyctalopia

What is nyctalopia?

Nyctalopia, also called hen blindness, is a visual disorder characterized by the inability of the eye to adjust and performs its visual function at night or in a dimly lit room. It is not a disease, but rather a symptom of another disease or condition, most commonly untreated myopia.

What are the causes of nyctalopia?

Hen blindness is due to a negative change in the cells of the retina, which are responsible for vision in low light. Possible reasons are:

• Myopia;
• Glaucoma;
• Glaucoma medications that affect the pupil and constrict it;
• Cataract;
• Diabetes;
• Retinal pigmentation;
• Vitamin A deficiency;
• Keratoconus.

For To determine the specific cause of nyctalopia, the eye doctor performs a comprehensive eye examination and may order other diagnostic tests.

Treatment of hen blindness

Treatment depends on the cause and the nyctalopia resolves once the treatment of the underlying disease is started. As it is possible it is very simple and consists only of replacing the glaucoma medication. Cataracts are usually treated with surgery.

Decreasing myopia can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, which are determined by the ophthalmologist who examined you. Those who are deficient in vitamin A usually respond well to nutritional supplements and a varied diet.

Timely treatment of vitamin A deficiency is crucial; if left untreated, the condition can lead to permanent blindness.

Nyctalopia, which is the result of a congenital visual disorder, and those affected must be under the periodic supervision of an ophthalmologist. People with this condition should take extra precautions to prevent injury that can occur as a result of the complete lack of night vision

Regular eye exams are essential to control night blindness. You may just need glasses to allow you to move around at night. Early detection is important to avoid the risk of harm to yourself or others. For example, when driving, there is a serious danger to other road users if you have nyctalopia.

How to protect yourself from injury?

According to the data of the Ministry of the Interior, deaths as a result of road accidents are three times more at night than during the day. Driving at night is dangerous because the driver’s ability to react depends on the state of his vision, but even if he has normal vision, his capabilities are severely limited at night.

Older drivers have even more difficulty seeing at night. A driver over the age of 50 usually needs twice as much light as a driver in his 30s.

The best way to prevent injury due to your blindness is to avoid driving at night and only drive in daylight. People with this condition may have difficulty driving, even in a very well-lit city.

If, however, an emergency requires you to go out at night, you can take measures to protect yourself. You will increase your visibility while driving by cleaning all the windows of your vehicle and its headlights. Driving at a slower speed will allow you to react to unexpected hazards.