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Night Blindness - Supplements
Driving during the darker hours of the day can be difficult when you have night blindness. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
- Get a nutritional checkup
Visit a knowledgeable professional to find out whether your night blindness is caused by a vitamin A or zinc deficiency
- Deal with the deficiency
Supplement with vitamin A and zinc to correct those deficiencies that may lead to night blindness; see your healthcare provider to determine recommended amounts and duration of treatment
Also indexed as:
- night blindness,
- night vision loss,
- nyctalopia
About this treatment
What Are "Star" Ratings?
Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
| Supplement | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
Beta-Carotene | If deficient: 10,000 to 25,000 IU daily | Night blindness may be an early sign of vitamin A deficiency. Supplementing with beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, help correct such a deficiency and improve night blindness. |
| ||
| Supplement | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
Vitamin A | If deficient: 10,000 to 25,000 IU daily | Night blindness may be an early sign of vitamin A deficiency. Doctors often recommend supplementing with vitamin A per day to correct a deficiency. |
| ||
| Supplement | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
Zinc (Zinc Deficiency) | If deficient: 15 to 30 mg daily (with 1 to 2 mg copper daily, to prevent depletion) | A lack of zinc may reduce the activity of retinol dehydrogenase, an enzyme needed to help vitamin A work in the eye. Zinc helps night blindness in people who are zinc-deficient. |
| ||
| Supplement | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
Iron (Iron Deficiency) | 30 mg of iron and 6 mg of riboflavin per day | If a person has deficiencies of iron and riboflavin, supplementing with these nutrients may increase the benefits of vitamin A.
|
| ||
| Supplement | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
Bilberry | Refer to label instructions | Bilberry is high in flavonoids that speed the regeneration of the pigment used by eye for night vision. Supplementing with bilberry has been shown to improve dark adaptation in people with poor night vision. |
| ||
Last Review: 05-11-2011
Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net
Learn more about Aisle7, the company.
The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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