Causes
There are several common causes of night blindness:
- Lack of vitamin A, which can cause a disorder of the retina and make the eyes very dry
- Cataracts , which are cloudy areas in the lens of the eye
- Some forms of retinal degeneration, such as retinitis pigmentosa
- Trouble adjusting from low levels of light to high levels of light
- Certain medications
- Birth defects
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Some risk factors for night blindness include:
- Age: elderly people are more likely to have cataracts
- Genetics: retinitis pigmentosa
- Diet: people who don’t eat enough sources of vitamin A, such as green leafy vegetables, eggs, and whole milk products (vitamin A deficiency is very rare in the US, but still occurs in certain less developed countries)
-
Disorders that affect the ability of the body to absorb vitamin A:
- Liver disorders
- Surgery on the pancreas or liver
- Intestinal conditions
- Bowel surgery for obesity
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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