Nyctalopia - commonly called as night blindness is the inability to see well in darkness or sometimes even in dim light. It is not a condition but rather a symptom of many underlying conditions
Children having difficulty playing in darkness,seeing obstacles at night, people having problems in night driving, reading road signs, identifying faces, prolonged time required for adjusting from light to darkness some common complaints given by those affected.
Vitamin A is essential for the functioning of rod cells in the retina responsible for night vision
Vitamin A deficiency & refractive errors ( especially extreme near sightedness)are some of the commonest cause of night blindness in children.
Genetic disorders like retinitis pigmentosa affects the rod cells.
Conditions like glaucoma can affect vision at night.
Vitamin A deficiency can be managed by healthy diet which consists of carrots/ leafy vegetables.
Certain cases do require vitamin A supplements.
Refractive errors by spectacles
Glaucoma can be managed by eyedrops which constrict the pupils.
Counselling is important for genetic disorders.
Night blindness is an important clue of body’s health & should not be ignored.
MBH/DB