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 by Dr. Rita Louise
When light travels through the cornea and lens of the eye, it lands on the back surface of the eye called the retina. The retina is made up of specialized cells called rods and cones. These cells convert the light rays received by the eyes into electrical impulses which are then interpreted by the brain.
When we enter a dark room, it is the responsibility of the rods and cones to make minute adjustments in their ability to perceive light. This action is dependant on the availability of Vitamin A in the body, particularly in the eyes, to do their job. The same holds true when we enter into a brightly lit room, the rods and cones have to change shape in order to compensate for the shift in light and light intensity.
When we experience an inability or a reduced ability to see in dim light or darkness, we are considered to have nyctanopia or night blindness. This term is also used to identify individuals whose eyes take a long time adapting to changes in light intensity.
Always associated with the way the eye receives light, night blindness is a symptom of several potential diseases or conditions. These can include a Vitamin A deficiency, near-sightedness, or a genetic abnormality. It can also be a symptom of diseases of the eye such as cataracts, macular degeneration, or retinitis pigmentosa (a disorder that destroys the light sensitive structures of the eye).
For most people who suffer from night blindness, their eyes tend to mobilize the Vitamin A in their eyes very slowly. This causes their vision to take a while to adjust to the dark or changing light conditions. Fortunately, there are a number of natural remedies and alternative health ideas that can help reduce or eliminate night blindness - or at least help you better deal with the symptoms.
Recommendations For Wellness
- Have your eyes checked for nearsightedness. If you wear glasses, even if you don’t wear them all the time, try to wear them after sundown.
- Talk to your optician about putting an anti-reflective coating on your glasses to help cut glare.
- Supplement your diet with Vitamin A. Vitamin A can be found in sweet potatoes, carrots, mangos, spinach, cantaloupe, dried apricots and egg yolks.
- Beta-carotene (the precursor to Vitamin A) can also be taken to support the levels of Vitamin A in the body.
- Individuals with night blindness are often deficient in zinc. Zinc supports specific enzymes that work in conjunction with Vitamin A in the eye.
- In early studies, bilberry was shown to improve dark adaptation in people with night blindness.
- Antioxidant supplements, such as Nature’s Sunshine’s “Perfect Eyes”, are formulated to give your eyes the antioxidant and nutritional support they need.
This information is provided for educational purposes only.
The descriptions of nurtritional supplements are based on the historical usage of the various ingredients. They are not intended to promote any direct or implied health claims, and actual results of usage can vary.
The statements on this Web site have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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