“Nyctalopia” or “Night blindness” is a disease or disability of the vision of the eyes and a disorder of the ‘retina’ of the eyes. The rod cells, one of two light-sensitive areas of the retina of the eye, are impaired in their capacity to produce a chemical compound called ‘rhodopsin’, or ‘visual purple’, causing inability to see in dim light, or in light of a less intensity. Nyctalopia is caused by the deficiency of and curable by addition of: “Vitamin -A”.
The following are the types of Nyctalopia or Night Blindness:-
- Congenital Stationary Night Blindness:- will be present from the time of birth. This is a hereditary type of Nyctalopia
- Progressive Night Blindness:- is a continuous type and will become worse in course of time
- Night Blindness as Complication of Obesity Surgery:- People who had “Obesity Surgery” for removal of excess fat, may have this type of Nyctalopia.
The causes for Nyctalopia are:-
- Lack of vitamin A, which will cause a disorder of the ‘retina’ and make the eyes dry
- Birth defects
- Old Age
- Cataracts, in the lens of the eye/normally will affect old people
- Some forms of retinal degeneration, like’retinitis pigmentosa’
- Side effects of some medications/like ‘glaucoma’ medications
- Liver disorders
- Surgery of the pancreas or liver
- Obesity Surgery
- Intestinal Disorders
Patients being treated with ‘glaucoma’ medications which constrict the pupil also will have night blindness, because the small pupil allows minimal light to enter the eye. ‘Retinitis pigmentosa’ , a retinal degenerative disorder, also commonly presents with night blindness.
Symptoms of Night Blindness are:-
- Difficulty/Inability to see in low light or darkness
- Dry eyes
- Blurred vision
Treatment for Nyctalopia:-
A complete eye examination must be done to determine the cause of Night Blindness. And Nyctalopia/ Night Blindness will have to be treated depending on its cause, including the following:-
- Removal of the cataracts
- Eating a diet with adequate amounts of Vitamin ‘A’:-
Treatment of night blindness consists of the oral or intravenous administration of Vitamin ‘A’.
Vitamin A acts as an antioxidant, which prevents, in addition to Night Blindness, cancer and many other diseases, and it is vital for:-
- Healthy formation of Bones, Teeth and Skin
- Maintenance of outer layer of many tissues and organs
- Growth and vitality
- Pregnant women and Lactation
- Growth and Repair of body tissues
- Health of hair
The following food items are rich in Vitamin A :-
- Eggs
- Dark Green & Yellow Fruits and Vegetables
- Dairy Products
Deficiency of Vitamin A may Cause in addition to Night Blindness, the following disorders/deficiencies:-
- Defective Teeth and Gums
- Allergies
- Dry Hair
- Retarded Growth
- Susceptibility to Infections
- Eye Irritations
- Sinus Trouble
- Dry Skin
- Loss of Ability to Smell
Vitamin A Deficiency will occur in the following cases:-
- In people who limit their consumption of liver, dairy foods, and beta-carotene-containing vegetables
- In ‘Low birth weight babies’/’Prematurely born babies’
Related reading: Vitamin Tablets
