Understanding and Managing Nighttime Vision Issues

Light is foundational to human vision, which is why we struggle to see in the dark. Also referred to as night vision, a person’s ability to see accurately in low-light situations, including nighttime, depends on multiple factors. 

If you notice that you’re struggling with night vision or your night vision is noticeably worsening, schedule a visit and eye exam with your optometrist to monitor any potential changes in your vision or eye health and to discuss potential solutions.

Why Is It Getting Harder to See At Night?

Since humans are not nocturnal, our eyes work much harder to see at night, and there are things that support that process.

• Any available, ambient light (that’s not glaring) optimizes nighttime vision.
• The pupils must dilate to allow as much light as possible to enter.
• Rod cells (which take in light and help differentiate colors) must collect light to support color vision. Cone cells are also vital in this process, and while they can function to “add a bit of color” with some ambient light (as from the moon), they can’t function otherwise. 

Outside of the general frustration that comes with struggling to see at night, diminished vision at night poses safety issues. This is especially important while driving, but it is also crucial at home, where poor night lighting contributes to trip-and-fall accidents. Poor night vision can be a source of agitation, anxiety, or a reason why those with night vision issues opt to stay home rather than participate in social gatherings after sunset. Optimizing nighttime vision and taking proper precautions support a better quality of life.

Here are some of the most common factors that lead to or worsen nighttime vision issues.

Diminished visual acuity

While a wide range of issues affect visual acuity, or how clearly you can see things both near and far, a decrease in visual acuity will directly translate to greater challenges seeing things at night. This is especially true if you have an astigmatism, cataracts, glaucoma, or eye conditions that cause halos to form around lights. In that case, in addition to things being more blurry or struggles with depth perception, the light halos distort vision even further.

Reduced depth perception

Because we can’t see as far at night, the world can feel more two-dimensional than three-dimensional, which hinders depth perception. That’s why a curb can seem shorter or higher than it looks, or why it’s hard to gauge how far away an oncoming car is when you want to pull out into traffic. Any issues with visual acuity will also affect depth perception.

Age-related changes

If you're 50 years old or older, you’re more prone to nighttime vision issues, which tend to worsen with age. As we age, our rod cells become less functional, which means we can’t process light as well, and this effect is particularly pronounced at night. 

Additionally, diminished cone cell function results in a more monochromatic appearance, often appearing either gray-scale or completely black and white. As muscle function slows, aging also means our pupils dilate more slowly, which compromises night vision. The longer it takes the pupils to dilate, like when you move from a lit space to a dark one, the longer it takes your eyes to adjust.

Then, other common age-related vision conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration, as well as the increased presence of benign floaters and flashes, exacerbate the situation.

Health-related eye conditions

Health-related conditions also impact or threaten nighttime vision. Some of those are in the same category as the age-related changes we listed above. However, diabetic retinopathy is also a factor, which is why people with diabetes are more likely to struggle with nighttime vision than their healthier counterparts. Dry eyes are another condition linked to both age, certain health conditions, and as a side effect of certain medications, and that can also impact nighttime vision.

How to manage and support nighttime vision

While there are no specific exercises or treatments for nighttime vision issues, there are steps you can take to manage, improve, and support your nighttime vision.

• Schedule annual eye exams to manage changes in eye and vision health.
• Manage any current eye conditions to prevent them from worsening. Some conditions, such as cataracts, can be alleviated with a simple surgical procedure that can drastically improve nighttime vision and driving capabilities.
• Take good care of your body because a healthy body is less prone to typical age- and health-related vision changes.
• Ensure you get new eyeglasses or contacts when your prescription changes, so you’re looking through optimal lenses.
• Discuss glare-protection options with your optometrist or optician to reduce the glare and halo effect when wearing your glasses.
• Keep your eyeglasses, windshield, and headlights clean.
• The same factors that increase eyestrain when reading at night (low-light, glare, reduced vision, etc.) work against you at night. Minimizing the interior glare of dashboard lights, avoiding the use of cabin lights while driving, and keeping screens off (or in dark mode) help your eyes take advantage of outside light sources. 
• Use the “night setting” on your rearview/side view mirrors to minimize headlight glare.
• Increase task and safety lighting inside your home after sunset to reduce the risk of trip and fall hazards.

The more you proactively set the stage for nighttime vision, the better you’ll be able to see.

Discuss Nighttime Vision Issues with Eye to Eye Family Vision Care

Have you noticed it’s getting harder and harder to see at night? Have you experienced some close calls while driving at night due to decreased depth perception or harsh light glare? Your safety and well-being are always our top priority. 

Schedule an appointment with us here at Eye to Eye Family Vision Care. We’ll determine the cause of the issue and then assist you in creating a personalized plan to manage the situation.