Catholic University of Mozambique

Distance Education Institute

Causes and Symptoms of Night Blindness

Name:

Course: Biology

Subject: English

Year of Attendance: 1st year

Teacher: Elizabethy Armando Nicane

Guruè, November 2022

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Contents

Introduction..........................................................................................................................................3

Objectives.............................................................................................................................................3

General objective.................................................................................................................................3

Specific objectives...............................................................................................................................3

The Night blindness.............................................................................................................................4

Symptoms of night blindness...............................................................................................................4

Main causes..........................................................................................................................................4

Treatment.............................................................................................................................................5

Conclusion...........................................................................................................................................6

References............................................................................................................................................7
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Introduction
The Pan American Health Organization declares that vitamin A deficiency (VAD)
it is still considered a public health problem in developing countries, with a higher prevalence
among preschool-age children (under five years of age), newborns, pregnant and lactating women.
In addition to being the most important cause of blindness among children, it also contributes
significantly to the increase in morbidity and mortality rates associated with common infectious
processes in childhood, albeit as a subclinical or marginal deficiency.

Objectives

General objective
 Conceptualize night blindness.

Specific objectives
 Present the causes of night blindness;
 Identify the symptoms of night blindness;
 Describe the ways of treating night blindness.
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The Night blindness

Night blindness, scientifically known as nyctalopia, is difficulty seeing in low-light

environments, such as at night, when it is darker. However, people with this disorder may have
completely normal vision during the day.

However, according to (Rios et al, 2013), night blindness is not a disease, but a symptom or
complication of another problem, such as xerophthalmia, cataracts, glaucoma or diabetic
retinopathy. Therefore, it is always important to consult an ophthalmologist to assess the presence
of another eye disease and initiate appropriate treatment.

Symptoms of night blindness

The main symptom of night blindness is difficulty seeing in dark environments, especially
when moving from a bright environment to a darker one, as when entering a house or during sunset,
for example (Sommer & Davidson, 2002).. Therefore, it is recommended that people with untreated
night blindness should avoid driving at the end of the day or at night, to ensure their safety.

Main causes
Night blindness is a change that occurs due to changes in cells present in the retina of the eye,
the rods, in which one of the pigments of the receptors of these cells, known as rhodopsin, is
reduced, directly interfering with the eye's ability to process objects with little light.

From the perspective of (Rios et al, 2013), the main causes of night blindness are:
 Vitamin A deficiency;
 Cataract;
 Glaucoma;
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 Retinitis pigmentosa;
 Myopia.

Furthermore, according Sommer (1995), it is important that the ophthalmologist is consulted

as soon as the difficulty in seeing in low light is noticed so that an ophthalmological examination
can be performed and, thus, the cause of night blindness can be identified and the most appropriate
treatment initiated.

Treatment
For the BRAZILIAN SOCIETY OF PEDIATRICS (2022), the treatment for night blindness
depends on the cause that is causing the changes in retinal receptors. Therefore, some of the forms
of treatment that may be indicated by the doctor are:

a) Glasses and contact lenses: are used especially in cases of myopia to improvevision;
b) Eye drops: allow you to control the pressure in the eye in cases of glaucoma, improving
symptoms;
c) Vitamin A supplements: are recommended in cases of xerophthalmia due to vitamin A
deficiency;
d) Surgery: Used to treat cataracts in the elderly and improve vision.

In addition, if any other retinal disease is identified, the doctor may order further tests such as
an optical tomography or ultrasound to confirm the adaptation of the treatment, which may become
more time consuming.

Furthermore, to stop the progress of the disease, Zelia needs to undergo treatment, which
usually may involve the use of glasses and contact lenses, in addition to vitamin supplementation,
with a special focus on vitamin A. Treatment and control of blood sugar levels can also be
performed to treat nyctalopia.
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Conclusion
Preventive and interventional measures for cases of XN should be based on vitamin A
supplementation (Chart 3), food fortification, and food diversification, reinforcing the importance
of including foods that are sources of vitamin A in dietary planning.

The impact of vitamin A deficiency on reproductive health has been well documented, in
terms of the repercussions on maternal and infant health. Given the expectations of international
health committees and the scientific community, some less invasive and low-cost indicators have
been tested and validated for the diagnosis of VAD.
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References
BRAZILIAN SOCIETY OF PEDIATRICS. Vitamin A Deficiency. Available at:
<https://www.sbp.com.br/fileadmin/user_upload/pdfs/23_deficiencia_de_vitamina_a.pdf.
Accessed on Nov 01, 2022.

Rios, D. et al. (2013). Unilateral retinitis pigmentosa or pseudoretinitis pigmentosa?: a case report.
Arq Bras Oftalmol. Vol.

Sommer A, & Davidson F. (2002). Assessment and control of vitamin A deficiency: the annecy
accords. J Nutr.;

Sommer A. (1995). La carencia de vitamina A y sus consecuencias. Guía práctica para la detección
y el tratamiento. Ginebra: OMS.