Joanne R. Pompano
Nyctalopia, also known as “Night Blindness,” is the inability to see in dim light and to adapt from light to darkness resulting from a deficiency of retinol. Nyctalopia may be caused by numerous diseases that cause degeneration of the rods of the retina (the sensory cells needed for vision in dim light). Nyctalopia also may occur due to a result of vitamin A deficiency. The vision usually returns when adequate levels of the vitamin are taken. (14)
Night blindness is one of the first problems experienced due to the deficiency of vitamin A. Night blindness occurs because a pigment in the retina (rhodopsin) requires vitamin A (retinol ) in order to function. The cells lining or covering organs (the epithelial cells), can degenerate due to deficiency in vitamin A. This lack of deteriorate vitamin A may cause the conjunctiva and cornea in the eye to resulting poor vision or blindness. (15)
