Natural treatments for impaired night vision
Natural treatments for impaired night vision focus on enhancing the eyes' ability to adapt to low light and recover from glare. This condition, often linked to the regeneration of rhodopsin in the eye, lacks formal medical treatments. One widely discussed natural remedy is bilberry, known for its historical use among pilots during World War II, although scientific studies yield mixed results on its effectiveness. Other potential treatments include black currant and oligomeric proanthocyanidins, with some evidence suggesting black currant may provide slight benefits. Additionally, nutrients like vitamin A and zinc play a crucial role in maintaining night vision, as deficiencies can hinder visual acuity in dim conditions. While some individuals report improvements with carotenoid supplements, research in this area remains inconclusive. Overall, maintaining a healthy diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants, along with protective measures like wearing sunglasses and regular eye check-ups, may contribute to better eye health and vision.
Natural treatments for impaired night vision
DEFINITION: Treatment of the inability of the eyes to normally and quickly adapt to darkness or to recover from glare.
- PRINCIPAL PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENT: Bilberry
- OTHER PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Black currant, oligomeric proanthocyanidins, vitamin A, zinc
Introduction
The ability to see in poor light depends on the presence of a substance in the eye called rhodopsin, or visual purple. This substance is destroyed by bright light but rapidly regenerates in the dark. However, for some people, the adaptation to darkness or the recovery from glare takes an unusually long time. There is no medical treatment for this condition.
Principal Proposed Natural Treatments
The herb bilberry, a close relative of the American blueberry, is the most commonly mentioned natural treatment for impaired night vision. This use dates back to World War II when pilots in Great Britain’s Royal Air Force reported that a good dose of bilberry jam just before a mission improved their night vision, often dramatically. After the war, medical researchers investigated the constituents of bilberry and found a group of active chemicals called anthocyanosides. These naturally occurring antioxidants appear to have numerous potentially important actions within the eye.
However, neither anecdotes nor basic scientific evidence can prove that a treatment is effective. Only double-blind, placebo-controlled studies can do that. The evidence from studies of this type is more negative than positive, with most modern studies finding no benefit.
For example, a double-blind crossover trial of fifteen persons found no short- or long-term improvements in night vision attributable to bilberry. Similarly negative results were seen in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of eighteen persons and another trial of sixteen persons. Earlier studies had reported some benefit, but they were less rigorous in design. Thus, bilberry cannot be recommended as a treatment for improving night vision. However, several studies found bilberry useful for retinopathy and other conditions of the eye, although the benefits were marginal.
Other Proposed Natural Treatments
Evidence from a small, double-blind, placebo-controlled study suggests that anthocyanosides from black currant might have some benefit for night vision. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins also have been recommended for improving night vision, although the evidence that they help is far too weak to rely upon. Deficiencies of carotenoids like vitamin A and zinc negatively affect night vision. Beta-carotene, another carotenoid, is also important for night vision because the body converts it into vitamin A, which helps ensure the body does not experience a deficiency. However, little evidence suggests that taking extra amounts of these nutrients will enhance vision. In one study, six months of using a mix of carotenoid supplements significantly improved night vision in older adults. However, further research is needed to understand this relationship. Other supplements that have been discussed for improving impaired night vision but are poorly studied for this purpose include vitamin C, vitamin B12, bioflavonoids, and vitamin E.
Genetic predispositions to poor vision and poor night vision are unavoidable, but protecting one's eyes from additional harm and maintaining a healthy diet ensures vision is protected. Wearing sunglasses, exercising, scheduling regular eye exams, and eating vitamin A-rich foods like carrots and sweet potatoes all have the potential to positively impact vision.
Bibliography
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"Common Vitamins and Supplements for Night Vision." WebMD, www.webmd.com/vitamins/condition-1425/night-vision. Accessed 15 Sept. 2024.
Gaby, A. R. “Nutritional Therapies for Ocular Disorders.” Alternative Medicine Review, vol. 13, 2008, pp. 191-204.
Levy, Y., and Y. Glovinsky. “The Effect of Anthocyanosides on Night Vision.” Eye, vol. 12, 1998, pp. 967-69. doi:10.1038/eye.1998.250. Accessed 15 Sept. 2024.
"Night Blindness (Nyctalopia)." Cleveland Clinic, 19 Dec. 2023, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/10118-night-blindness-nyctalopia. Accessed 15 Sept. 2024.
Richer, Stuart, et al. “Night Vision and Carotenoids (NVC): A Randomized Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial on Effects of Carotenoid Supplementation on Night Vision in Older Adults.” Nutrients, vol. 13, no. 9, 2021. doi:10.3390/nu13093191. Accessed 15 Sept. 2024.