Ophthalmologists have warned against driving at night or walking in dark places for those suffering from night blindness. This warning comes despite the fact that ophthalmologists describe night blindness as a symptom resulting from eye disorders and problems, not a disease in itself. They attribute night blindness to several causes, including nearsightedness, lack of sleep, diabetes, and damage to the retinal cells responsible for vision in dim light and color contrast, in addition to fatigue and exhaustion.

Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Shehri, a consultant in retinal diseases at Taif University, confirmed that one of the causes of night blindness, which he described as the inability to see clearly at night or in dim light, is heredity resulting from mutations in the genes responsible for the cells of the night vision receptors in the retina of the eye, which leads to weakness in the functions of the cells and their death. This weakness increases with age in those affected. One of the most important causes of heredity is the marriage of relatives who carry the genetic mutations, even if the parents are outwardly healthy and do not show symptoms, as parents who carry the disease increase the probability of passing on the affected genes to their children by 25% for each newborn.

Blue, white, and mesh

Ophthalmologist Dr. Al-Shahri added that genetic causes are due to a deficiency in vitamin (A) or infection with some eye diseases that affect vision at night, explaining that the symptoms of night blindness sometimes appear at the beginning of a person’s life, as the affected person may suffer from weak vision at night compared to the day, and with age and the increasing weakness of the retinal cells, the weakness may increase significantly until it becomes permanent, day and night. Night blindness may be accompanied by other symptoms such as hearing loss, obesity, kidney dysfunction, and learning difficulties in some affected people.

The monthly retinal disease consultant denied any role for nearsightedness in causing night blindness, as night blindness is a hereditary disease that affects the retinal cells, and nearsightedness is related to the cornea. However, patients with night blindness usually have nearsightedness and need glasses to clarify their vision. He explained the difference between night blindness, cataracts, and glaucoma, stating that night blindness is hereditary and affects the retina, cataracts affect the lens of the eye, and glaucoma affects the optic nerve. There may be similarity in the symptoms of vision impairment, but there are differences, the most important of which is that night blindness is hereditary, so its symptoms begin at an early age in childhood, while cataracts and glaucoma usually occur with age and affect the elderly. Cataracts can be treated and vision can be fully restored by replacing the lens of the eye, while vision cannot be restored in night blindness, as the affected retinal cells are sensitive nerve cells and cannot be replaced.

Telescopes and magnifying lenses

The monthly eye consultant denies that any food plays a role in the disease, and its causes are often genetic or hereditary. However, he advises those affected to eat foods containing antioxidants and vitamin (A), such as fish and vegetables, which help the retinal cells and prolong their life. The retinal nerve cells and vision receptors are the part affected in this disease, and they cannot be restored. The goal of treatment is usually to preserve what remains of them and prolong their life by eating foods containing antioxidants and avoiding exposure to the sun and ultraviolet rays.

Dr. Al-Shehri reveals a newly released gene therapy for one type of night blindness associated with mutations in the RPE65 gene. The gene is present in 4% of cases of night blindness in the Saudi community, and gene therapy is usually performed in operations by injecting a healthy copy of the gene under the retina, which may preserve what remains of the vision and stop its deterioration.

The monthly eye consultant adds that some cases of night blindness are treated by prescribing glasses, magnifying lenses, or telescopes to improve vision based on the degree of vision impairment. However, at the same time, he warns those with this disease against driving at night, advising parents, in the event that a child with the disease appears, to have a genetic test done for them and the affected child to find out which gene is affected and to sit with specialists in genetic and reproductive diseases in order to avoid having more children with the same disease, as the rate of having a sick child is 25% in each pregnancy or birth.

Kohl is innocent of night blindness

Dr. Mohamed Fawzy Khalifa, a consultant in glaucoma diseases and surgery, explains that night blindness is a type of visual impairment; that is, the inability to see well in the dark. It is considered a symptom, not a disease, and its causes include poor eyesight, vitamin A deficiency, age-related cataracts, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and Usher syndrome; a rare genetic disorder that affects both hearing and vision by causing gradual damage to retinal cells, which can lead to various eye problems, including night blindness, and diabetes. Dr. Khalifa, a consultant glaucoma surgeon, pointed out that prevention of the disease comes through regular eye examinations, maintaining blood sugar levels, and eating a healthy, balanced diet rich in vitamin A, zinc, antioxidant foods, and minerals. He explained that the use of kohl, especially for those who used it in their childhood, is not related to contracting this disease, nor is there a role for strong lighting or sunlight in contracting it. However, caution is necessary, as exposure to these causes plays a role in contracting cataracts.

How do the nerves of the eye deteriorate?

Dr. Waseem Zakari, a consultant in cornea and laser surgery at Prince Mohammed bin Nasser Hospital in Jazan, stated that the most important symptoms of the disease are congenital retinal disorders that lead to blurred vision in the dark. The person becomes unable to see clearly in dim light, and there is no cure for retinal disorders. Cataracts, on the other hand, can be treated by implanting a replacement lens. Conversely, in the case of glaucoma, the optic nerves deteriorate due to increased intraocular pressure, thus affecting vision. Youssef Saleh Ghawas, supervisor of the optics department at the First Cluster and head of the optics department at King Abdulaziz Hospital in Jeddah, explained that night blindness is a disorder affecting a type of light receptor in the retina known as rod cells, which help with vision in the dark or in dim light. This disorder occurs due to several reasons. The most important of these are diabetes, which leads to damage to the blood vessels in the retina and atrophy of the macula, resulting in general vision impairment; genetics, with a family history of conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa and vitamin A deficiency, which is essential for retinal health and night vision; cataracts, which make it difficult to see in dim light; and glaucoma, which affects the optic nerve.

Traffic authorities: These people are not allowed to drive

The supervisor of the optics department at the First Assembly, specialist Youssef Saleh Ghawas, pointed out the importance of eye health, specifically in driving cars. The General Directorate of Traffic has enacted strict laws for those who wish to drive a car. Among the most important of these is passing the eye examination test through strict standards that are represented in visual acuity without glasses. If the person relies on his natural vision without glasses, the visual acuity must be no less than 6/18 in each eye. If he relies on glasses or contact lenses to correct his vision, the visual acuity must be no less than 6/18 in each eye using corrective means.

In binocular vision, the individual must have good binocular vision; that is, the eyes must work together normally, and the normal field of vision must be wide and sufficient to meet the requirements of safe driving.

Beware... night-vision goggles are a scam

Dr. Yousef Ghous, Head of the Ophthalmology Department at King Abdulaziz Hospital in Jeddah, reiterated his warnings against driving at night for those suffering from night blindness. He also cautioned against falling for misleading advertisements promoting glasses that supposedly treat night blindness at all times. He explained that treatment is provided by a qualified ophthalmologist who can prescribe aids to improve vision in low-light conditions, including night-vision glasses. Some of these glasses come with yellow or amber lenses that can reduce glare and improve contrast in low light. These glasses can also be beneficial for individuals with mild night vision problems. Other treatments include colored contact lenses that reduce glare and improve contrast, which can aid night vision. These lenses are often yellow or amber. Contact lenses can also help reduce glare and improve vision in low light.

Young children can also be infected!

Youssef Saleh Ghawas, supervisor of the optics department at the First Gathering and head of the optics department at King Abdulaziz Hospital in Jeddah, explained that night blindness and its effects vary between the elderly and children. The elderly can be affected by this disease for several reasons, including retinitis pigmentosa, eye diseases such as glaucoma, or old age.

Children and young adults can be affected by genetic factors such as optic nerve disorders, vitamin A deficiency, or other eye diseases. Therefore, regular eye exams and examinations are essential for all ages, along with wearing UV-protective sunglasses to shield the eyes from damage and raising awareness about genetic predispositions to eye diseases.