Vision - night blindness

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External and internal eye anatomy

Overview Treatment

Vision - night blindness

Necessary safety precautions should be taken. Avoid driving a car at night. Vitamin A supplements may prove helpful.

• There is significantly impaired lifestyle
• If the symptoms are persistent

The goal of the medical exam will be to determine if the problem is due to a correctable cause, such as need for new glasses or cataract removal or whether the problem is something more severe.

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting night blindness in detail may include:

• Time pattern
  • When did this begin?
  • Did it occur suddenly or gradually?
  • Is the night blindness constant or occasional?
• Quality
  • How severe is the night blindness?
  • Is vision impaired in dimly-lit rooms?
• Aggravating factors
  • Is myopia (nearsightedness) also a problem?
  • Do you have a fear of the dark?
  • Are you under any unusual stress or anxiety?
• Relieving factors
  • Are corrective lenses needed?
  • Does use of corrective lenses improve night vision?
• Other
  • What other symptoms are present?
  • Have you noticed changes in daytime vision?
  • Do you have light sensitivity (photophobia)?
  • Do you have a difficulty seeing colors?
  • Do you have cataracts?
• Additional important information
  • What medications do you use?
  • Do you use "street drugs"?
  • Have you had any recent head or eye injuries?
  • Do you have a family history of diabetes?
  • Do you have a birth defect?
  • Do you have a healthy diet?

The physical examination may include an eye examination. A slit lamp examination may be performed as a diagnostic test.

Cataract removal should be discussed as an option when appropriate.

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