Patients with night blindness are lacking something.

Written by Tao Yuan
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 25, 2024
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Night blindness is a common symptom in ophthalmology, referring to a condition where patients cannot see clearly in dim environments. Night blindness can be caused by various reasons, among which vitamin A deficiency night blindness occurs due to the patient's long-term picky eating or malnutrition, leading to insufficient intake of vitamin A. Vitamin A is an essential raw material for the synthesis of photosensitive substances in the retina, and its deficiency can lead to night blindness. Night blindness caused by retinal pigment degeneration, malnutrition of rod cells, and late-stage glaucoma does not involve a lack of nutritional elements in the patient's body. Instead, it results from damage to the rod cells in the retina or the nerve fiber layer, which prevents them from sensing light stimuli in dark environments.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Is night blindness related to myopia?

Night blindness generally has little to do with myopia. Night blindness can be divided into congenital night blindness and acquired night blindness, caused by retinal dysfunction. Myopia makes distant objects appear blurry and near objects clear, primarily due to changes in the eye's axis. Night blindness does not involve changes in visual acuity or the eye's axis. Once night blindness occurs, one should actively seek an ophthalmological examination and receive proper treatment. Currently, the treatment for myopia mainly includes corrective glasses, orthokeratology (corneal reshaping therapy), and surgical treatments.

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Written by Tao Yuan
Ophthalmology
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Is night blindness a recessive genetic disease?

Night blindness is not a recessive genetic disease; it is merely a symptom caused by many ophthalmic diseases. The primary manifestation is difficulty seeing in dim environments and requiring a longer time to adapt when moving from bright to dim settings. There are various causes of night blindness, with common ones including vitamin A deficiency, malnutrition of rod cells, and advanced glaucoma. Therefore, when a patient exhibits symptoms of night blindness, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly. A doctor can determine the specific cause through a comprehensive examination and implement targeted treatment. The primary diseases causing night blindness are mostly non-hereditary; for example, vitamin A deficiency is mainly related to malnutrition and picky eating, which can be treated by supplementing vitamin A.

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Written by Wang Hui Zhen
Ophthalmology
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What causes sudden night blindness?

There are many causes of sudden night blindness. Night blindness refers to blurry vision or even complete inability to see in low-light conditions such as nighttime, possibly even leading to difficulties in movement. Night blindness can be categorized into congenital, acquired, and temporary types. Congenital night blindness is mostly related to genetic factors, where the patient is born with a deficiency in synthesizing rhodopsin, leading to night blindness. Temporary night blindness is often due to a lack of Vitamin A in the diet, or due to some digestive system diseases that affect the absorption of Vitamin A. Acquired night blindness is usually caused by diseases of the retina or the eye itself. Therefore, if sudden night blindness occurs, it is recommended to go to a reputable hospital's ophthalmology department for comprehensive examinations such as visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit lamp, dilated fundus examination, and if necessary, further tests like fundus fluorescein angiography to identify the cause and provide targeted treatment.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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Will staying up late worsen night blindness?

If night blindness is caused by congenital reasons, then staying up late generally does not significantly worsen it. If it is caused by acquired eye abnormalities, staying up late will noticeably exacerbate the occurrence of night blindness. Additionally, if it is caused by a deficiency in vitamin A, one should rest properly, reduce close-range activities, avoid staying up late, and supplement with foods or medications containing vitamin A. If the night blindness is due to eye-related causes, active treatment and regular follow-ups are recommended. If it is due to congenital reasons, currently there are no particularly effective treatments available.

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Written by Tao Yuan
Ophthalmology
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Can people with night blindness see things at night?

Individuals with night blindness can still see at night, but with less clarity compared to those with normal vision. Night blindness can be caused by various conditions, such as advanced glaucoma, retinal pigment degeneration, Vitamin A deficiency, and poor nourishment of the rod cells in the retina. It occurs due to damage to the rod cells on the retina, which are responsible for dark vision, preventing them from functioning normally. Diagnosis can be confirmed through dark adaptation tests and electroretinography at an ophthalmology department in hospitals. Treatment for night blindness should be based on the underlying cause; for instance, if caused by Vitamin A deficiency, the condition can be treated by supplementing Vitamin A, thus either restoring health, or preventing and slowing further deterioration of the condition.