For those who have difficulty seeing clearly in the dark, there’s a laser vision correction procedure that can shrink the size of your pupil in order to maximize contrast sensitivity. Wavefront, a customized version of LASEK, offers those who have difficulty seeing at night an advantage over wearing contact lenses, prescription eye glasses or traditional LASEK procedures.
What Causes Night Blindness?
- Nearsightedness
- Glaucoma
- Glaucoma medications (some affect the function of the pupil)
- Cataracts
- Diabetes
- Retinitis Pigmentosa (an eye disease where there is damage to the retina, which converts light to nerve signals for the brain to understand)
How is Night Blindness Treated?
Night blindness that is caused by a treatable condition, such as glaucoma, cataracts and diabetes can be treated by:
- Prescription lenses
- Contact lenses
- LASEK/Wavefront Surgery
Although night blindness can be treated with contact and prescription lenses, these methods cannot cure the condition. Prescription contact and lenses may not reduce halos and glares that many patients are “blinded” by when they are driving at night. When conservative methods have been exhausted, an ophthalmologist may recommend LASEK, a laser vision correction surgery.
How Does Laser Correction Eye Surgery Fix Night Blindness?
Many of those suffering from night blindness, or have difficulty seeing in the dark, especially while driving often have enlarged pupils. The pupil is the dark or black circle in the eye. This is where light enters the eye and reflects off of the retina, which sends signals to the brain to help it understand light. LASEK with Wavefront measures the entire surface of the eye (cornea) and looks for any impurities. The laser works to treat each area of the cornea specifically, which makes it easier for the patient to see at night. For example, nighttime halos and glares from streetlights and headlights are greatly reduced because the procedure increases contrast sensitivity in the eyes.
Do You Suffer from Night Blindness? Contact Dr. Giyaur.
For more information about LASEK for nighttime blindness, contact ophthalmologist Dr. Julia Giyaur in Brooklyn and Rego Park. Our offices can be reached at 718.676.6464. We look forward to helping you see clearly.
