Definition:
Night blindness pertains to a difficulty or inability to see well at night or under poor light conditions. Also known as nyctalopia, night blidness is not a disorder in itself, but a symptom of an underlying problem such as untreated nearsightedness.
Diagnosis:
Diagnostic tests used to determine night blindness include: general inspection or physical exam; visual acuity; visual field examination; as well as ophthalmoscopy and slit lamp examination.
Treatment:
The specific treatment for night blindness varies according to its cause. In some cases, the condition can be simply remedied with new prescription eyeglasses or glaucoma medications. In other cases, it may involve surgical intervention, such as in the case of cataracts where surgical removal is almost invariably necessary.
Symptoms and Signs:
The primary symptom of night blindness is the inability or difficulty to see in the dark or in low light. Night blindness may also be accompanied by symptoms of dry eyes and blurry vision (even at daytime).
Causes:
Night blindness may be caused by a number of medical conditions, including: retinitis pigmentosa; vitamin A malabsorption and deficiency; celiac disease; cystic fibrosis; cirrhosis of the liver; bile duct obstruction; cataracts; diabetes; macular degeneration; severe short-sightedness; and congenital night vision disorder, among others.
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