Do you have difficulty seeing in the dark? You are not alone – many people suffer from this same problem. However, low vision at night can make it difficult to drive safely, and for this reason, you should discuss with your eye doctor as soon as possible. Consider the following reasons why your vision is impaired at night.
You are Nearsighted
If you have difficulty seeing in the dark, it could be that you are nearsighted and need glasses. If you already wear glasses, you may need a new prescription. Regular eye exams can help detect changes in your vision that could affect your night vision.
You Have a Medical Condition that Affects Your Vision
If you have diabetes, you are more prone to night vision problems because of a higher risk of retinopathy. This is a condition that is caused by damage to the nerves and blood vessels in the eyes caused by high blood sugar. While it is important for everyone to have regular eye exams, it is even more critical that diabetics have their eyes examined each year and whenever a change in vision is detected.
You Have an Eye Condition that Affects Your Vision
Cataracts are a common cause of low vision at night. In fact, poor night vision is often the first symptom of cataracts as light coming into the eyes is distorted and causes halos around lights or blurry vision. Regular eye exams can catch cataracts at earlier stages so that they can be treated before your vision becomes too impaired. Difficulties with night vision can also be a sign of a rare genetic disorder called retinitis pigmentosa. An eye doctor can rule out this vision-threatening condition during an eye exam.
You Need More Vitamin A and Zinc in Your Diet
Low vision at night can be associated with a lack of vitamin A and zinc in your diet. This can be caused by simply not having enough of these nutrients in your diet. It can also be caused by health issues, such as Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or evengastric bypass that compromises your body’s ability to absorb nutrients. It is important to discuss any health issues you may have with your eye doctor to make sure that they are not affecting your vision.
You Have a Complication from LASIK Surgery
It is uncommon to have complications from LASIK surgery. However, some patients who are predisposed to night vision problems may experience issues from glare and halos that distort vision.
Often, problems with low vision at night can be resolved with special eyewear that is designed to reduce glare and halos or treatment for underlying eye conditions, like cataracts. Contact Valley Eye Care Center at 602-955-2700 and schedule an eye exam with one of our eye doctors
