Night blindness: causes, symptoms and what those affected should know!

Erfahren Sie alles über Nachtblindheit: Ursachen, Symptome, Diagnostik und Behandlungsmöglichkeiten am 11.02.2025.
Learn everything about night blindness: causes, symptoms, diagnostics and treatment options on 11.02.2025. (Symbolbild/ANAG)

Night blindness: causes, symptoms and what those affected should know!

To be able to see badly in the dark is a well -known problem for many people. Especially in the darker months of the year, as in autumn and winter, many report difficulties in seeing at night. In particular, a special form of visual impairment, which is known as night blindness, only affects a small group of people. Radio Hochstift .

Night blindness or hemeralopia denotes an impairment of seeing in low light, whereby this occurs from the loss of function of the light -sensitive chopstick cells in the retina. It is estimated that around 40,000 people suffer from hereditary night blindness in Germany. The most common cause is the degenerative disease retinitis pigmentosa, which leads to the destruction of retinal cells. Other possible causes are congenital diseases such as the congenital inpatient night blind syndrome, as well as vitamin-a deficiency, which, however, rarely occurs in industrialized countries, such as the ADAC explains.

causes and diagnostics

In many cases, the problems of seeing in the dark are not a real night blindness, but rather results from other visual errors or diseases such as short -sightedness or lens covers, also known as gray star. This often also includes age deficits that affect the visual performance. It is important to see an ophthalmologist with visual disturbances, especially if you subjectively determine a problem when seeing in the dark.

The diagnostics are done by various procedures: ophthalmologists check the eye background and can use imaging methods. In addition, genetic tests are possible if he was suspected of hereditary causes. Information about the patient, such as B. the age can provide evidence of whether the visual difficulties are more innate or age -related.

symptoms and effects

Typical symptoms of night blindness include difficulties in orientation in dark environments. Affected people often have a slow adaptation to the darkness and feel a high sensitivity to light sources. These restrictions often lead to an increased risk of accidents, especially when driving, which significantly reduces the quality of life of those affected.

While real night blindness is not curable, there are treatment approaches for the causes such as the vitamin A deficiency, which can be treated by nutritional supplements. With hereditary night blindness, supportive measures such as visual aids and training courses are usually necessary for better coping with everyday life. In addition, operations for certain diseases such as gray star can improve eyesight.

In summary, it can be said that limited vision in the dark represents a serious problem that can in many cases get through an ophthalmological examination. The website of chur ophthalmologists according to regular eye examinations and a balanced diet are important for prevention. In addition, those affected should think of their security and, for example, avoid driving in the dark to reduce the risk of accidents.

Details
Quellen