What Is Night Blindness?

Medically Reviewed by Lalitha Kadali, MBBS, MD on February 10, 2026

This condition, which your doctor will call nyctalopia, makes it hard to see well at night or in poor light. It isn’t a disease, but rather a symptom of another problem like untreated nearsightedness.

The problem comes from a disorder of the cells in your retina that allow you to see dim light. It has many causes:

To pinpoint the cause, your eye doctor will carry out a full exam. They may order specialized tests.

That depends on its cause. It may be as simple as a new prescription for glasses or a new medication. It could require surgery if cataracts are to blame.

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