What is Night Blindness

 

Night blindness means you have difficulty seeing things when there is not adequate light. Items appear blurred or are hard to see in dim or dark light.

 

 

 

Causes of Night Blindness

 

  • Night blindness (Nyctalopia) can be caused by near slightness, cataracts, retinitis pigmentosa, or Ushers Syndrome.
  • People with diabetes or high blood sugar levels are more likely to develop cataracts and hence night blindness.

  • Cataracts lead to the eye looking cloudy and an overall decline in eyesight which if left untreated eventually results in blindness.

  • Retinitis pigmentosa happens when tunnel vision occurs because the dark pigment has collected in the eyes.
  • Ushers Syndrome is a genetic condition that impairs both sight and hearing.

 

 

 

Nyctalopia or night blindness happens when not enough Rhodopsin is produced. Rhodopsin is the eye pigment that is needed to see in dimly lit situations.

 

Rhodopsin occurs in the retina of the eye and is made of retinal (an active derivative of Retinol or Vit-A) & Opsin (a protein compound).

 

A deficiency in Vit A (retinol) means you cannot make enough Retinal and consequently, insufficient Rhodopsin is produced. 

 

 

 

 

Vitamin A Deficiency

 

This Deficiency, although rare, is linked to night blindness

 

When left unmanaged, night blindness (nyctalopia) can develop into a condition called xerophthalmia.

 

Here, the cornea of the eye becomes damaged, and this can lead to blindness.

 

 

 

 

Causes of Vitamin A (Retinol) deficiency 

 

  • Inadequate intake  in the diet
  • Iron Deficiency – Iron is required for the absorption of this nutrient
  • Medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis, pancreatic illness, inflammatory bowel disease, and small bower bypass surgery. These conditions interfere with the absorption of fats, and as this nutrient is fat-soluble, they lower the absorption of it from your diet.
  • Excess alcohol consumption paradoxically leads to both:
    • Vit- A deficiency but
    • also the stressed Liver associated with this illness leads to a significant likelihood of Retinol toxicity when supplements are taken.
  • Fat malabsorption illness and Liver disorders also can result in a deficiency of Vit A.

 

 

While excess alcohol consumption can deplete this nutrient, a stressed liver may be more susceptible to toxicity.

 

 

 

 

 

White Growths on the Eye – Bitot’s Spots

 

An early symptom of xerophthalmia or corneal damage of the eye is Bitot’s spots.

 

These are foamy, elevated small white growths that form on the white part of the eye.

 

A lack of Vitamin A causes these. While these growths can be removed, they only entirely disappear when there is adequate Vitamin A.

 

 

 

 

 

Toxicity

 

 

Unlike water-soluble foods such as B vitamins, Vit A is fat-soluble. 

 

 

Unless diagnosed with a deficiency, most people should avoid taking this supplement. That is because as it is fat-soluble when consumed in excess, it can accumulate in the body’s fat stores and become toxic.

 

This toxicity shows as headaches, nausea, skin irritations, and joint and bone aches and pains. In severe cases, it can lead to coma or even death.

 

It is always advisable to try to add all nutrients through a varied, nutritious diet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ann O’Flynn B.Pharm, MA, BSc, MPSI

 

Ann is the owner of dPharmacy and has a particular interest in Health foods and supplements. Ann is a Tutor pharmacist and has gained numerous qualifications in alternative therapies - which she uses alongside her extensive clinical training. If you have any queries on medicines or health foods please reach out to us by email, text or phone

 

 

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