Have you noticed that it is becoming more challenging to drive at night? Or is reading the menu becoming harder, especially in poorly lit restaurants? You’re not alone. This is a common complaint we hear as your optometrist in Canberra at Capital Eye. Fortunately, most reasons for poorer vision at night are easily treatable and managed.
An incorrect prescription for your glasses or contact lenses is one of the most common reasons people experience poorer vision at night. When it is dark, there is less contrast, and this causes imperfections in your vision to feel more pronounced (even when during the day your vision may feel fine). Scratches to your prescription lenses can also increase glare at night, which will affect your vision. Updating your glasses or contact lenses can often significantly improve your nighttime vision.
Cataracts are a common condition that generally occurs as we age. Cataracts are a clouding or yellowing of the natural lens of the eyes. This cloudiness scatters the light as it enters our eye, causing halos around lights and reducing the contrast of objects we are looking at. This reduces your vision at night. Making an appointment with your optometrist in Canberra will determine how your cataracts are affecting your night vision.
You might be surprised to know that dry eyes can also affect your night vision. Poor tear film stability, which occurs in dry eyes, causes light to scatter unevenly within the eye, leading to glare and blurred or variable vision. Visiting your optometrist in Canberra can help determine if you have dry eyes and recommend a suitable treatment option.
Less common reasons for reduced night vision can be due to several retinal conditions and diseases. Your optometrist in Canberra can detect these issues using the latest equipment and technology available in the ACT and initiate any necessary treatment.
The Bottom Line
If you have noticed your night vision isn’t as good as it used to be, the first step is to understand the health of your eyes and your vision. To do this, when you visit your optometrist in Canberra, at Capital Eye, we will provide a detailed analysis and assessment of your eyes and vision. This would allow us to understand and discuss issues relevant to your concerns.