Winter is Coming! How Well Can You See at Night?

Fall Back, Spring Forward, See the Difference

There are approximately 10 hours and 36 minutes of daylight today, October 24, 2018. In just a few short months that will be down to an annual low of 8 hours and 36 minutes, and once Daylight Savings Time kicks in on November 4th (at 2:00 am for those of you setting your watch by it), the adjusted sunset will be at 4:38 pm!

But you knew that already, and you weren’t especially looking forward to it.

Add to that the fact that Vermont skies are generally cloud-covered from October to March, and precipitation of every type and disposition will likely be obscuring your view a good portion of those days, your ability to see well in low light and poor conditions is put to the test.

Night Blindness is a Symptom, Not a Disease

What you’ve always heard called “night blindness,” your eye doctor might call nyctalopia; in either case, when the sun sets at 4:30 pm in the afternoon, it doesn’t really matter what you call it, the question is, how well can you see in low light, and why is your vision deteriorating?

Night blindness – the condition that makes it difficult or often impossible to see in low light, is a symptom of other eye diseases and disorders, not in fact a disease in and of itself. The most common causes of night vision loss are:

Vitamin A deficiency
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Retinitis Pigmentosa – a genetic issue whereby the retina gradually loses its ability to respond properly to light

Prevention is the Best Solution

The number one prescription for night blindness is to limit activities like driving at night where your vision is paramount to your safety and the safety of others. Some eyeglass and contact lens prescription recommendations can be made to improve your ability to see at night, or in the case of cataracts, surgery can improve your eyesight dramatically, both during the day and at night.

The best prescription is always prevention. Regular visits to your eye doctor and annual checkups with your general practitioner can flag and address the early symptoms of night blindness, allowing you to get out ahead of them.

As winter approaches and the days get significantly shorter, if you start to notice you’re having difficulty seeing at night, contact your eye doctor and set up an appointment as soon as possible.

Winter in Vermont is challenging enough without having to worry about your ability to see. The eye care professionals at Berlin Optical Expressions can help you clear the way.