Improving Night Vision

Night blindness, or nyctalopia, is a condition thatpigmentosa, pigment deposits on the retina, can
makes it hard to see in low light or darkness.benefit from supplementing with vitamin A, DHA
Night blindness can be a symptom of many eyeomega 3's, and antioxidants like vitamin C. Retinitis
diseases, can be a side effect of certain drugs, itpigmentosa is degenerative and has shown to
can be a birth defect, or it can be caused byrespond to these vitamins and supplements.
injury. However, the most common cause ofAntioxidants clear out the excess free radicals
night blindness is vitamin A deficiency.produced by the disease. Vitamin A helps the
Most people discover that they have nightretina to perform more efficiently, and DHA
blindness when they have trouble driving at night.omega 3 supplements can slow degeneration by
People that only have blurred vision at night maystrengthening the structures of the eye.
not be night blind, but have impaired night vision.The retina has a large amount of the chemical
This type of problem is common and is usuallyrhodopsin, named "visual purple" because of its
corrected with prescription glasses. Impaired nightpurplish appearance. When light hits the retina,
vision is thought to be brought on by age andrhodopsin begins a chemical cascade of changes
usually is noted in the 40's and 50's. If yourthat make night vision possible. The rods and
prescription isn't working, it may be that thecones of the eye also go through these chemical
prescription is too old or that the eye exam waschanges. The rods are responsible for
performed in bright light.monochromatic vision that we use in the dark.
The next level of night blindness is categorized byMost diseases of the eye that result in night
glares and halos around lights at night. People withblindness are caused by the rods malfunctioning.
this level of night blindness should not drive atLarge amounts of vitamin A are required for all
night untreated. It is generally caused by lesions orthe chemical reactions of the eye to take place
scratches on the cornea. Most people can beand result in vision, which is why even slight
cured through medical or surgical procedures.deficiencies can result in night vision problems.
Some people can wear special glasses that tintAnyone with night vision problems should be
only when they encounter bright light. Theseregularly examined by an ophthalmologist.
fragment the glares and halos, making it perfectlyProblems can usually be corrected or at least
safe to drive at night while wearing the glasses.slowed down. Most people can be completely
Another treatment option is to wear a patch oncured by taking vitamins and supplements
the eye with the lesion or disruption. However,containing vitamin A. Some eye diseases cannot
this remedy removes all depth perception andbe corrected, but degeneration can be slowed by
makes it difficult to judge distances and speeds.supplementing with vitamin A, the best vitamin C,
Wearing regular glasses with a black circle blockingand DHA omega 3 supplements. This isn't the
forward vision, but leaving peripheral vision intact,case for everyone, so talk to your
helps with this problem.ophthalmologist before you buy vitamins.
People with retinal lesions or even retinitis