Problems With Night Vision
Do you have trouble seeing after dark? Our Health Writer, Colleen Shannon, reports.
THE nights are drawing in and if you have trouble seeing in the dark, it can become more noticeable at this time of year.
It’s worrying, too, especially if you drive. So to get the facts about night vision, I asked Dr Louise Gow, Specialist Lead for Eye Health at RNIB.
She told me that many people do report difficulty seeing at night, and this is more common as we get older.
However, true night blindness – where there is a measurable difference in your ability to see by day versus by night – is rare. In these cases, the cause may be an inherited eye condition, diabetes that has been treated with laser, or late stage glaucoma.
Most of the time, though, poor night vision is connected to other problems that are straightforward to correct or treat.
If you are short-sighted (having myopia), you may simply need stronger spectacles to improve both your day and night vision.
Another possible cause is a cataract, which means the lens of your eye is becoming cloudy. Cataracts can develop gradually, so problems with night vision could be the first sign you notice. Cataracts can be treated with routine surgery.
Glaucoma, which results from raised pressure in the eye, can also interfere with your vision in dark or dim conditions. Treatment for the earlier stages of glaucoma is with prescription eye drops.
Here are some signs that your night vision might be a problem:
• Feeling reluctant to go out alone at dusk or at night
• Finding it hard to move from a light to a dark environment
• Misjudging kerbs, steps or trip hazards when it’s dark
• Having trouble adjusting your eyes after turning out the lights.
Signs of age-related night vision problems may include seeing a starburst or a dazzle around lights, or having difficulty with oncoming headlights. You might find it hard to see the edge of the road or people in dark clothing.
If you are worried about your night vision, the first step is to see your optometrist (optician). Many people qualify for free eye tests on the NHS, so ask whether you are eligible. If the problem happens suddenly, get seen urgently.
Tell your optometrist what’s happening. They might carry out a visual fields test to check whether your side vision is functioning normally. It’s also routine to check your eyes for cataracts or problems in the retina. You may be sent to the eye hospital for further tests.
It’s also important to know that if you drive, you are responsible for reporting any vision problems to the DVLA. With some conditions, you can still keep your licence.
If you don’t tell them, it’s an offence and your insurance may be invalidated, so honesty is the best policy. Your optometrist can tell you more.
You can learn about a range of eye conditions on the RNIB website at www. rnib. org. uk or call their helpline on 0303 123 9999 for information and support. n