How can I see better in the dark while taking a walk? Well this is indeed a dream come true for all night loving enthusiasts out there who love to take a stroll when the sun has set.
Night vision is an issue for most human beings owing to the manner in which our pupil is structured. The pupil is the source from where the light enters your iris. If the light is dark, the pupils have to expand considerably. Unfortunately in humans, they can expand only to a certain limit. If it is pitch dark, the light cannot be reflected back. Lack of wider pupils and eyes further aggravate this issue. So, you do not see anything in pitch dark.
Moreover, the color vision at night is completely decimated. All you see (if you can) is shades of grey and black at night. It is all owing to the manner in which our eyes are made. I shall discuss this topic in more details as we go deeper into the article.
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How can I See Better in the Dark while Taking a Walk Article Contents
1) How does the Human Eye See an Object?
2) Why Humans cannot See Clearly in the Dark?
3) How does a Human Being See in the Dark?
4) How can I See Better in the Dark while Talking a Walk?
5) When should I Consult an Optometrist Regarding my Poor Night Vision?
6) Takeaway
How does the Human Eye See an Object?
The outermost part of the eye is termed as the cornea. Behind this is the pupil. Behind the pupil is the iris. The lens is just behind the iris. The retina is behind the lens and finally, it is through the optic nerve that the light signals is dispatched to the brin. The above mentioned parts of the eye that are involved majorly in order to let you view an object.
So, here is how this process works:
@ Light from the outside falls onto the cornea. The cornea is shaped like a dome.
@ The light is bent owing tot he shape of the cornea and then dispatched to the iris via the pupil.
@ The pupil is an opening through which the light passes. The iris is what determines the amounts of light that should be let in via the pupil.
@ From the iris, the light travels to the lens. The cornea and the iris are involved in helping the lens get just the right amount of light that it needs to help you view an object.
@ The photoreceptors present in the retina transfer the light into electrical signals.
@ The electrical signals are then dispatched tot he brain via the optic nerve that is located at the back of the eye.
@ The brain receives this signal and transforms them into images of the object that you are currently viewing via your eyes.
How does a Human Being See in the Dark?
While everything seems to be working just fine when the light is ok, the moment it starts to get darker, your site tends to get jeopardized. This is because your eyes are small and your pupils cannot expand wide enough to sync darkness with your vision.
I (LeanAndFit reviewer) have broken down the manner in which the human eye can see in the dark in simple words:
@ First of all, three parts of the eye are most involved while seeing in the dark. These include the iris, the pupil and the cornea.
@ The light is captured by the iris and dispatched tot he cornea via the pupil.
@ The pupil expands when the light is less and narrows when the light is bright.
@ Your Iris determines how bright or dark the i]light falling on it from the outside is.
@ The photoreceptors present in your eye tend to capture light in the form of photons.
@ These photons are then converted into electrical signals that are dispatched via the optic nerve tot he brain.
@ The brain decodes these electrical signals and forms images of the object that you are viewing.
Important Notes:
@ The iris contains cones that are located in the macula.
@ They help determine the color of the object that you see. There are more than six millions cones located near the macula.
@ The eye also has over one hundred and twenty million rods.
@ These rods allow you to see better when the light outside is dark.
@ As they are one thousand times more sensitive to the outside light, the overall quality of your rods allow you to see better or worse at night. As cones are not involved during night, you only make use of the rods within the eye to view objects in the dark.
@ The objects that you see in the dark therefore lack color – only grey and black.
How can I See Better in the Dark while Talking a Walk?
Well, you are both a specific set of cones and rods that cannot be changed. If the rods in your eyes are of superior quality (blessed with higher sensitivity to less light) then, you tend to automatically see better at night and vice versa. Nonetheless, there are ways and means of enhancing your night vision.
Here is how you can improve your night vision to drive or walk at night:
Allow Your Eyes to Adjust:
The very first thing that you need to do when you step out at night is to avoid rushing it. You need to first wait and allow your pupils to adjust to the darkness. This is when you can easily hope to allow the pupils to dilate to their maximum potential. When that happens you are able to automatically view to your best ability at night.
So, never rush outside at full speed. You need to first allow your eyes to adjust to the light outside. If it is pitch dark, then again, you should wait a while before rushing out for a night walk. Even though your eyes and vision are not meant for the night, doing so shall permit you to maximize your vision at night.
Avoid Watching the Media Screens:
Like it or no but your laptop and mobile phone is the worst for your eye health. The lights that emit from your television screen or your mobile screen or your laptop screen is not conducive to your eyes. The cones present within your eyes have to really concentrate in order to identify the color combinations emitting from the screen.
When you apply such high pressure onto your rods and cones, the optimal performance of your optic nerve is also compromised. This is when you need to gear up and ensure that you avoid watching TV screens for a long time. The blue ray light is harmful and it may reduce your normal vision. So, try and cut down on it as far as you can.
Wear Protective Gear:
There are certain types of jobs that can be considered hazardous for your eyes. Construction and welding related jobs are a classic example of the same. Gravel, sharp objects and sparks from a welding machine can be really harmful for your eyes. This is why, you need to make sure that you wear protective goggles whenever you are engaged in such activities.
You also need to make sure that whenever you are riding a two wheeler, you wear protective goggles. Basically, any activity that threatens the overall vision of a human being should be performed with caution. So, goggles are widely suggested.
Avoid Sunlight Exposure:
The protein content present in the human lens is altered when it is exposed to direct sunlight. So, the harsh UV rays are not at all good for your eye functionality. Squamous cell carcinoma is a common side effects of UV exposure. Cataract development is also quite common to people whose eyes have been exposed to UV rays.
Basal cell carcinoma is also a common side effects of overexposure to UV rays. So, avoid exposure to sunlight. So, whenever you are out in the sun, you should wear sunglasses (UV protected sunglasses). When you protect your eyes from sunlight, you can be rest assured that your vision shall not be compromised.
Eye Exercises should be Included in Your Daily Routine:
You need to make note of the fact that your eyes need to be exercised on a daily basis. In order to make sure that your eyes muscles remain healthy, you should massage your eyes regularly. One exercise that I always do is to close my eyes and gently place the palms of both hands onto your eyes.
Thereafter, massage your eyes with the palms in a circular manner. First do so clockwise and then anti-clockwise. After about 2 minutes stop. Repeat this exercise two to three times in a single day for best results. Doing so should enable your eye muscles to become stronger ad more flexible. This in turn shall directly enhance your night vision.
Another exercise is to place a finger in front of your eye. Stare at the fingertip and then shift the finger to the right and then to the left. While doing so, keep your eyeballs fixed to the tip of the finger. Avoid shifting your neck while following your fingertip as it travels from the right to left and back. It helps strengthen your eye muscles and makes your vision better.
Consume a Diet that is High in Vitamins & Minerals:
In order to nourish the eyes, you need to feed them with vitamins, minerals and other necessary micronutrients.
It is suggested to consume carrots, eggs and kale as they contain high amounts of Vitamin A. Meat, banana and beans are also recommended as they contains high amounts of Vitamin B.
Orange, kiwi and broccoli is suggested for improving eye vison as they contain high amounts of Vitamin C. Cereals and the yoke of an egg are good too as they contain high amounts of Vitamin D. Flaxseed and walnut contain omega-3 fats. Zucchini and Brussel sprouts is high in lutein. Dairy products and whole grains have high amounts of zinc.
When should I Consult an Optometrist Regarding my Poor Night Vision?
An optometrist is a doctor of the eye. He/she is a specialist who is trained to detect eye infections, treat them via medication and avoid your eye infection from getting complicated.
As far as paying a visit to a optometrist is concerned (with special regards to night vision issues) then, you may do so in the following cases:
I Cannot See Clearly in the Dark while Driving my Car
It is highly likely that you are unable to see clearly in the dark while driving. This is a natural process as human eyes are not meant to identify an object clearly in the dark. Things start to go wrong when you become completely dependent on the street lights and the lights of your vehicle while driving in the dark.
This could be a serious issue as roads that do not have street lamps can prove dangerous for those that cannot see well in the dark. what would happen if the lights of your car malfunction? To avoid accidents, you need to make sure that you take an appointment with an optometrist and discuss your night vision related issues with the doctor.
I am Suffering from Completable Blackout when it is Dark Outside
There could be several reasons behind the same. Some of the most common reasons behind night blindness is glaucoma. It usually takes place when the optic nerve is damaged. This is the nerve that connects the eye tot he brain. It is all owing to the high pressure that tends to develop within the eye.
In such a scenario, the angle between the cornea and the iris narrows down significantly. Owing to this very reason, you cannot see well at night. This is because the pupil is unable to dilate itself optimally in order to send optimal amounts of light onto the lens. So, viewing objects in the dark becomes a daunting task indeed.
I Cannot Walk in the Theater
You need to consult a doctor if you are no longer able to see in the theater. While it is dark inside, there is ample light for a person with normal eyesight to view the interiors and walk. If you fail to do so then, a part of your eye may be damaged or infected. This is when you should get an expert opinion in order to rectify your error.
I am Suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa
Retinis Pigmentosa is an eye disease that tends to infect the retina. If you are facing this condition then, your retina is unable to convert the light into nerve signals. When light signals remain the same, the optic nerve is unable to dispatch them to your brain. So, you cannot hope to view images with the aid of your eyes (as your brain never for the light signals in a manner which it can read and decode into visual images).
In such a scenario, you would not be able to view an object clearly. Night blindness is simply natural in such a scenario. To stop further damage tot he eye, you may like to wear protective glasses while steeping out in the sun. Taking Vitamin A palmitate is also recommended in this case. You may also like to consume a diet that is high in Omega-3 fatty acids.
I Took Certain Medicines and Suffered Loss of Night Vision
Yes, it is very true that certain type of medications can jeopardize your normal vision. Some of the most common medicines that lead to night blindness include Amiodarone, Topiramate, Bisphosphonates and Prednisone. There are many more such medications that have been known to cause night blindness (but mentioning all of these is not practical in this article).
Anti Coagulants, oral contraceptives and anti-depressants have also been known to cause night blindness in some people. So, if you are taking any of these medications then, you need to show yourself to an eye doctor. Anti Inflammatory medications that do not contain steroids have also been known to cause night blindness.
Conclusion
How can I see better in the dark while taking a walk? Hopefully this question has been answered to your satisfaction. If not and you need more information then, do reach out to us on the feedback section below.
Nonetheless, making a few changes to your daily routine and amendments to your diet, you can easily hope to current vision. So, a bit of ‘giving up on junk’ and a bit of ”eating your fruits and veggies’ daily can make a large difference to your existing lifestyle. At the same time, you need to be in touch with your eye doctor to avoid complication.