Blurred vision at night is related to the difficulty in seeing things clearly during the night. This article tells you more about why this happens and what can be done about it…
Out of the many complications related to eye problems, blurred vision at night is one. An unclear vision might hamper your daily living, mostly when it comes traveling or working in the night. If ignored, it can lead to serious eyesight problems. Thus, it is advisable to take corrective measures as soon as blurred vision is experienced.
Common Causes
Eyes Exposed to Sunlight
If you are experiencing blurred night vision, it might be due to overexposure to direct sunlight. Sustained exposure to sunlight in the afternoon can hamper the visibility at night. If the condition is caused due to sunlight, it might last for just two days. But if you experience blurred vision for a longer time, you should visit an eye specialist. Wearing sunglasses when out in the sun is a good way to avoid exposing the eyes to the scorching heat and light of the sun.
Cataract
This is believed to be the second most common cause of blurred vision at night. Generally, this condition is mostly observed in people in their middle or old age. It is caused when there is an accumulation of debris under the inner eye lens, which creates a whitening of the lens. Due to cataract, the person might even experience halos when he sees night lights. In some cases, the person’s eyes may become extremely sensitive to direct light.
Nearsightedness
This is a complication in the eye, in which the person can see a nearby object clearly, but might find it difficult to see faraway objects. Squinting may enable the person to have a better look at what he is looking at. This problem may over time lead to a blurred visual of objects.
Glaucoma
This condition results from damage to the optic nerve that sends images from the eyes to the brain. This may decrease the ability of the eyes to see clearly or even create blind spots. In a majority of cases, this disorder develops in a very gradual manner, without the person noticing a change in his vision until the vision problems becomes extremely severe.
Diabetic Retinopathy
High sugar levels are harmful for blood vessels and mostly the retina, if eye complications are to be taken into consideration. In some severe cases, there is a bleeding in the retina, causing the vision to be blurred. It can be said that people with diabetes have more chances of experiencing a blurry sight in low lights.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is also considered to be a reason for blurry vision in low light. This occurs due to the formation of yellow accumulations in the macula which provides central vision. Along with a blurred vision, the person may see distorted images of objects. Loss of vision can be gradual or sudden. Macular degeneration can lead to night blindness.
Migraine
It has been reported that blurred night vision may be one of the results of migraine. This type of headache is usually experienced on just one side of the head, and causes great discomfort due to the pain. A person suffering from migraine may even experience halos and sensitivity to sound.
Other Causes
LASIK After Effects
Though LASIK is a laser surgery that is intended to get rid of eye problems, it may sometimes have side effects. This is in very rare situations though. People who have undergone this treatment might have a distorted vision, especially during the night.
Zinc and Vitamin A Deficiency
Traditionally, it is believed that most eyesight issues are associated with a deficiency of certain vitamins. Some of the most essential constituents for a good eyesight are Vitamin A and Zinc. Deficiency of vitamin A is also responsible for causing night blindness. Both these elements work together and keep the retina (an important part of the human eye) in good condition. Lack of these nutrients can lead to blurred vision.
Retinitis Pigmentosa
Since this uncommon condition is genetic, it cannot be treated. If you are hardly able to see things in low lighting surroundings, you may be in the early stages of a condition known as Retinitis pigmentosa. When this disorder worsens, you may experience tunnel vision or a substantial amount of vision loss.
These are a few causes of blurred eyesight at night. Other minor causes can be eye infection or injury or inflammation of the optic nerve. Even brain tumor or stroke show symptoms like blurred vision at night. The treatment depends primarily on its cause.
Treatment and Prevention
If the cause is cataract, the treatment will include removing the natural lens and replacing it with an Intraocular lens (IOL). In case of diabetic retinopathy, you need maintain blood sugar levels to normal. Consuming foods rich in vitamin A and zinc is an effective way to keep vision problems at bay. An underlying eye problem causing blurred vision, is something an ophthalmologist would better understand. Thus, a visit to an eye specialist would help identify the cause of blurred vision in order to go for proper treatment measures.
Since blurred vision at night can be an indication of a serious eye problem, any problem with the eyesight should be notified to an ophthalmologist as soon as it is experienced. He would be the right person to diagnose the cause and suggest a treatment.
