---
title: "Difficulty seeing at night (night blindness)"
description: "What causes difficulty seeing at night, from cataracts and uncorrected sight to retinal conditions, and when to get your eyes checked. Clinically reviewed."
url: https://eyehealthguide.org/symptoms/difficulty-seeing-at-night/
source: Eye Health Guide
licence: "General information only. Cite the URL and the named medical reviewer."
---

Symptom

# Difficulty seeing at night (night blindness)

Get checked if it is worsening

Medical reviewer [Mr Mohamed Mohyudin](https://eyehealthguide.org/reviewers/mohamed-mohyudin/)· Last recorded site review July 6, 2026

### About this review

This page inherits the site’s previous review record. A separate, current article sign-off has not yet been recorded.

[How review works](https://eyehealthguide.org/reviewers/) · [Official biography & credentials](https://mohamedmohyudin.co.uk/author/mohamed-mohyudin/)

Quick answer

Difficulty seeing at night is most often caused by cataracts or an uncorrected glasses prescription, both of which are treatable. Less commonly, progressive night vision loss can signal a retinal condition such as retinitis pigmentosa, so worsening night vision is worth an eye examination.

## When to get it checked

- Night vision that is steadily getting worse over months
- Loss of side vision or tunnel vision as well as poor night vision
- Night vision problems with diabetes
- A family history of inherited retinal disease with new symptoms

### On this page ⌄

1. When to get it checked
2. Common causes
3. What can help
4. Frequently asked questions

## Common causes

Night vision relies on a clear lens and a healthy retina. These conditions can affect it.

## What can help

- Book an eye test, as cataracts and the right glasses are common, treatable causes
- Take extra care driving at night and keep windscreens and glasses clean
- Seek assessment if night vision is steadily worsening

## Frequently asked questions

### What causes difficulty seeing at night?

The most common causes are cataracts and an uncorrected glasses prescription. Progressive night vision loss can occasionally signal a retinal condition and should be checked.

### Is poor night vision a sign of something serious?

Often it is a treatable cataract or focusing problem. But steadily worsening night vision, especially with loss of side vision, can signal a retinal condition and needs assessment.

### Can night vision be improved?

Yes, when the cause is treatable: updating glasses and cataract surgery often restore night vision. Retinal causes are managed with specialist support.

Your next step

## Take this to your appointment

Write down what has changed, when it started, your current medicines and the questions you want answered. Take these to your eye-care appointment.

Sudden loss of sight, severe eye pain or a dark curtain across vision needs immediate assessment. Do not wait to complete a worksheet.

## Trusted sources

For general background, these organisations provide eye-health information. This list is further reading, not a record that they reviewed this article.

- [NHS — Health A to Z](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/)
- [Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust](https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/)
- [American Academy of Ophthalmology — EyeHealth](https://www.aao.org/eye-health)
- [National Eye Institute (NIH)](https://www.nei.nih.gov/)
- [College of Optometrists — Look After Your Eyes](https://lookafteryoureyes.org/)
- [World Health Organization — Eye care, vision impairment and blindness](https://www.who.int/health-topics/blindness-and-vision-loss)