Night Blindness 101: Common Questions For Worried Suffers
Posted on: 30 November 2017
Share
You seem to see just fine when the sun is up or the lights are on, but as quick as darkness falls or a room gets dim, it's almost as if your vision shuts off too. Unfortunately, this is exactly what it feels like to experience night blindness, and it is far more common than most people think. If you suffer from night blindness, you likely have problems with driving late in the day, getting through your home in low light, and even being able to see clearly enough to function as a normal person. Here is a look at some of the most common questions about night blindness and the answers you want to know:
Why is it you can't see well in low-light conditions?
Night blindness is not normally something that occurs on its own; rather, it is more a condition that develops as a result of other illnesses and problems. For example, if you are nearsighted, it can make it even harder for you to see in low-light conditions. For some people, light sensitivity plays a part in their night blindness, which can also be relative to other optic conditions that may be treatable.
Is there a cure for night blindness?
Because night blindness is not something that happens on its own in most cases, treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the condition and the severity of the problem. Normally, your optometrist can work with you to find what is causing or exacerbating the problems you are having with seeing in the dark, but this can take some time. Whether or not the condition can be cured depends on the cause. Some problems can be cured so you can achieve better vision at night, but some conditions may not have a form of treatment available. For example, retinitis pigmentosa is a non-treatable illness and can cause night blindness.
Is it true that night blindness is a hereditary condition?
When it comes to optic problems, it is often assumed that issues are hereditary, even down to simple things like nearsightedness or cataracts. However, hereditary inheritance of night blindness is not really a concern. What is a concern, however, is that retinitis pigmentosa is a hereditary condition, and this eye disease can cause night blindness. Therefore, if someone in your family has struggled with night blindness but never had the problem checked out, it is always best that you have routine eye exams just to be sure a developing condition is caught early enough for treatment.
Contact a medical office like Tamas EyeCare for more information and assistance.