Experiencing vision getting worse at night may seem alarming if you notice your low-light acuity deteriorating over time. Hazy and blurry vision at night is a discomfort many people face. The phenomenon, often called night blindness or nyctalopia, affects everyday tasks. It can make routine activities like driving and walking in dimly lit areas more challenging.
Understanding why this happens is the first step toward finding solutions. Learning how to manage them is essential to maintaining your quality of life and safety.
Causes of Night Vision Problems
Aging
Aging is the most common natural cause of night vision issues. In the course of aging, the eyes change. They decrease the pupil size and lens flexibility, thus causing difficulties seeing in low light. Older adults often experience a gradual decline in night vision, making nighttime activities more difficult as time goes by.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism causes light to focus unevenly on the retina, leading to distorted vision. The visual discomfort is quite bothersome at night and in low-light environments. People with astigmatism may notice streetlights, headlights, and other lights appear streaky, spiky, or blurry, and their vision worsens the darker it gets.
Cataracts
Cataracts (clouding of the lens) scatter light entering the eye. That's causing excessive glare and reducing the ability to see clearly at night. Cataracts are a part of aging but may have an unusual or early onset, depending on external factors, genetic predisposition, and other conditions.
Vitamin A Deficiency
Vitamin A is an essential vitamin for eye health and vision. A deficiency can impair the function of the rods in your retina, responsible for seeing in low light, causing temporary night blindness.
Diabetes
Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes. The condition is severe and damages the blood vessels in the retina. This damage can cause blurry vision at night, making it harder to see in dim lighting. Diabetic retinopathy could lead to vision loss. So if you have diabetes and notice your vision getting worse at night, go for a diabetic eye exam immediately.
Tips to Cope with Night Vision Issues
Wear Corrective Lenses
If you have astigmatism, custom prescription lenses can improve your night vision. Anti-reflective coatings on glasses can minimize reflections and glare from headlights and streetlights.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Incorporate vitamin A-rich foods into your diet, even if you don't have vitamin A deficiency. Fruits and veggies such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens support eye health. If your doctor recommends it, you may also try taking eye supplements.
Optimize Lighting
When driving at night, adjust your car’s mirrors and headlights to minimize glare. Use adequate lighting in your home to reduce eye strain. The same is valid for the digital screens you use, you have to set dark mode or adjust screen brightness.
Consider Medical Treatments
If cataracts or other eye conditions affect your night vision, consult an ophthalmologist. Treatments like cataract surgery and certain medications for eye problems can restore or improve clear vision at night.
Regular Eye Exams
Routine check-ups with your eye doctor are essential for monitoring changes in your vision and addressing issues on time. Early intervention can prevent further deterioration and better your night vision.
Night vision problems, whether caused by aging, astigmatism, or other factors are frustrating. Taking proactive steps makes coping easier. Don’t let hazy or blurry vision at night keep you from living fully. Take action to see clearly, even in the dark.
Resources:
Difficulty seeing at night? Try these tips to cope, Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School