Night+blindness+4a

= NIGHT BLINDNESS =

= Patient History: = The patient is Holga Delmarkos. Age: 69. She developed night blindness recently so it cannot be a birth defect. She is experiencing blurred vision and dry eyes, which are symptoms of night blindness. NIght blindness itself can be a symptom of cataracts, and because of her age and symptoms she may have cataracts. = What is Night Blindness? = Medically named Nyctalopia, night blindness is when you have trouble seeing at night or dim lighting. It is not a disorder by itself, but it could be a symptom of an underlying problem, such as untreated myopia, glaucoma medications, cataracts, Retinitis Pigmentosa, or vitamin A deficiency.

= What Causes Night Blindness? =
 * Myopia or nearsightedness can be a reason someone is experiencing night blindness. Myopia can occur if the cornea has too much curvature or if the eyeball is too long.
 * Glaucoma medication could be another cause, this refers to damage of the optic nerve due to increased pressure in the eye. If the glaucoma medication works by restricting the pupil, then it may result in night blindness.
 * Cataracts are a clouding of the eye's natural lens.
 * Retinitis pigmentosa is damage to the retina of the eye.
 * The main cause of night blindness a lack of vitamin A. The retina of your eye is supplied with a chemical called rhodopsin, when light reaches the retina it brings about certain chemical changes in the rhodopsin and other substances present in the rods and cones. If there isn't enough vitamin A present in the retina night blindness may occur.
 * Age, diet, and birth defects may lead to night blindness.

= What Can You do About it? = Your optometrist will give you a thorough eye exam if you suspect you may have night blindness. He/she may prescribe vitamin A supplements or a diet with more vitamin A. If the patient has cataracts they will need to be removed. If the patient's night blindness is being cause by glaucoma medications then the patient may need to switch medications.