![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.londoncataractcentre.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Can-ICL-Surgery-Be-Performed-in-Patients-with-Glaucoma-1024x559.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe pupil plays an important role in helping your eyes adjust to different lighting conditions. It controls how much light enters the eye by becoming smaller in bright light and wider in darkness. In younger eyes, this response is usually quicker and more efficient. As you get older, the pupil may not widen as much in dim light, which means less light reaches the retina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- How the Pupil Responds to Light: <\/strong>In bright light, the pupil becomes smaller to reduce the amount of light entering the eye. In darker conditions, it becomes wider so more light can reach the retina and help you see more clearly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Why Dim Light Becomes Harder With Age: <\/strong>In older adults, the pupil may not open as widely in low light. This can make darker environments feel harder to manage because the eye receives less light than it did before.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Rooms May Feel Darker Than Before: <\/strong>Older people may feel as though rooms, hallways, or reading areas are darker than they used to be. This does not always mean the lighting has changed; it may be due to changes in how the eye adapts to light.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Brighter Lighting Can Support Daily Safety: <\/strong>Better lighting can make reading, walking, cooking, and recognising objects easier and safer. Good lighting is especially helpful in stairways, bathrooms, bedrooms, and areas where falls are more likely.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Changes in pupil response are a normal part of ageing, but they can still affect daily comfort and safety. If you need more light to read or move around confidently, it may simply mean your eyes need stronger lighting support. Using brighter, well-placed lighting can reduce strain and make everyday tasks easier. If dim vision is sudden, worsening, or affecting only one eye, it is important to have your eyes checked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why the Ageing Lens Lets Less Light Through<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The natural lens inside your eye changes gradually as you get older. Over time, the lens can become less clear, slightly yellowed, and less able to transmit light cleanly to the retina. This means the amount and quality of light reaching the back of your eye may slowly reduce with age. As a result, you may notice that your vision does not feel as sharp or comfortable in different lighting conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the lens becomes noticeably cloudy, this is known as a cataract. Cataracts can affect the way you see colours, clarity, and brightness, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. According to the National Eye Institute, later cataract symptoms may include blurry vision, faded colours, light sensitivity, trouble seeing at night, and even double vision. These symptoms can develop gradually and may become more noticeable over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An ageing or cloudy lens can make both bright and dim environments harder for you to manage comfortably. Bright light may create more glare and dazzle, while darker environments may feel less clear because less light is reaching the retina effectively. You may especially notice these problems during night-time driving, reading in dim light, or moving between different lighting conditions. An eye examination can help determine whether cataracts or other age-related lens changes are affecting your vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cataracts and Difficulty Moving Between Light and Dark<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cataracts are one of the most common reasons older adults struggle when moving between bright and dark environments. A cataract causes the natural lens inside the eye to become cloudy, which affects the way light enters the eye. Instead of passing through clearly, light becomes scattered, making vision less comfortable and less clear. This can make everyday activities more difficult, especially in changing lighting conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because cataracts scatter light, you may notice problems in both bright and dim environments. Bright sunlight, headlights, or indoor lighting may feel dazzling and create uncomfortable glare, while darker surroundings may appear unusually dim or difficult to navigate. This is why many people with cataracts find it harder to adjust when moving from bright areas into darker spaces or the other way around. Symptoms often develop gradually, which means changes in vision may become more noticeable over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Moorfields, cataracts can cause gradual blurring of vision, glare, difficulty with night-time driving, and even multiple images in one eye. These symptoms are a major reason many older adults experience problems with light and dark adaptation. At the London Cataract Centre, assessment can help identify whether cataracts are contributing to your visual difficulties and whether treatment may improve your comfort and visual quality. Recognising cataract symptoms early can help you seek the right advice before the condition affects your daily life further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Glare Becomes More Noticeable<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Glare is a very common visual complaint as people get older. You may notice discomfort from headlights, bright sunlight, wet roads, reflective floors, shop lighting, or digital screens. Instead of appearing clear, the light may seem scattered, overly bright, or uncomfortable to look at. These changes can make certain environments feel visually tiring and more difficult to manage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One reason glare becomes more noticeable is that the ageing lens inside the eye scatters light more than it did when you were younger. Cataracts can increase this problem further by making the lens cloudy and reducing the quality of light entering the eye. Your eyes may also recover more slowly after exposure to bright light, which can make transitions between different lighting conditions feel more uncomfortable. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, some eye conditions in older adults can increase sensitivity to glare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Glare is not only frustrating or uncomfortable, but it can also affect your confidence and safety in daily life. You may feel less comfortable driving at night, walking in unfamiliar environments, or moving between bright and dim areas. Strong glare can also reduce contrast and make obstacles, steps, or road hazards harder to see clearly. If glare is becoming more noticeable or affecting your daily activities, an eye examination can help identify whether cataracts or another eye condition may be contributing to the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Night Driving Becomes Difficult<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.londoncataractcentre.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1-24-1024x559.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nNight driving often becomes more difficult as you get older because several changes in your vision can happen at the same time. Your pupil may not open as widely as it used to, meaning less light reaches the retina in dark conditions. At the same time, cataracts may scatter light from headlights, and your retina may adapt more slowly when moving into darkness. These combined changes can make night-time visibility noticeably more challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may also experience stronger glare from oncoming headlights, which can feel uncomfortable or even temporarily affect your vision. After being exposed to bright lights, your eyes may take longer to recover, making it harder to see clearly again. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, rod cells responsible for low-light vision weaken with age, which can make night-time driving and poor weather conditions more difficult to manage safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a result, you may notice symptoms such as halos around lights, increased glare, delayed recovery after passing headlights, and difficulty seeing pedestrians or obstacles on poorly lit roads. Reduced contrast and slower visual adjustment can also lower your confidence when driving at night. These changes can make driving feel more tiring and less safe, especially in unfamiliar or dimly lit areas. If these symptoms are affecting your driving ability, an eye examination can help identify whether cataracts or other age-related eye changes are contributing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Difficulty Entering Dim Rooms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Many older adults notice that they struggle when moving from bright outdoor light into a dim indoor space. For example, you may pause when entering a restaurant, cinema, church, hallway, or bedroom because your eyes need more time to adjust. This delay can make the environment feel temporarily unclear or disorientating until your vision adapts. It is a common experience and becomes more noticeable with age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This difficulty can increase the risk of everyday accidents, such as bumping into furniture, missing steps, or feeling slightly unsteady in unfamiliar or poorly lit areas. It is important to understand that this is not usually due to carelessness. Instead, it is often a genuine delay in dark adaptation caused by age-related changes in the pupil, lens, and retina. These changes mean your eyes take longer to respond when lighting suddenly becomes darker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can make these situations easier by using practical lighting strategies. Turning on lights before entering a dark room, using night lights in hallways or bedrooms, and improving overall home lighting can all help reduce sudden changes in brightness. Avoiding sudden transitions into complete darkness where possible can also improve comfort and safety. These small adjustments can support your vision and help you move more confidently in low-light environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Difficulty Moving From Dark to Bright Areas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Some older adults also find it difficult when moving from a dark environment into a bright one. For example, stepping outside on a sunny day may feel suddenly dazzling, or turning on a bright bathroom light at night may feel uncomfortable or even overwhelming. This happens because the ageing eye can become more sensitive to glare and may take longer to adjust to sudden increases in brightness. As a result, bright environments may feel harsher than they used to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This sensitivity to bright light can become worse if you have conditions such as cataracts, dry eye, corneal problems, or certain retinal conditions. These issues can affect how light passes through or is processed by the eye, making brightness feel more intense or uncomfortable. You may notice that glare is stronger and that it takes longer for your vision to settle after exposure to bright light. This can make everyday activities more tiring for your eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can help reduce discomfort by using simple protective measures. Wearing sunglasses outdoors, using hats with brims, and choosing anti-reflective lenses can all help reduce glare and improve comfort. Adjusting indoor lighting to avoid sudden brightness changes may also make a difference. However, if bright light sensitivity or glare is persistent or worsening, it should be assessed by an eye care professional to rule out underlying eye conditions and ensure appropriate treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Retina and Low-Light Vision<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye, and it plays a key role in how well you see in different lighting conditions. Within the retina, rod cells are especially important for low-light and night vision. These cells help you see when there is not much light available, such as in dim rooms or outdoors at night. As you get older, these rod cells can become less efficient, which may slow down your ability to adapt to darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of these changes, you may find it harder to see objects clearly in dim environments. Recognising faces in low lighting or moving safely around at night can also become more challenging. These difficulties are often linked to slower dark adaptation, where your eyes take longer to adjust after changes in brightness. This can make everyday situations feel less clear and require more concentration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Retinal health is also very important for maintaining good low-light vision. Conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, and retinal degeneration can all affect how well your retina processes light. If you notice sudden changes or worsening problems with night vision, it is important that you have a proper eye examination. Early assessment can help identify the cause and ensure you receive the right care and advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contrast Sensitivity and Ageing Vision<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Seeing clearly is not only about being able to read small letters on an eye chart. You also rely on something called contrast sensitivity, which is your ability to tell the difference between an object and its background. This becomes especially important when the contrast between light and dark is subtle, such as in dim lighting or shaded areas. As you get older, you may notice that this ability becomes less sharp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of reduced contrast sensitivity, you may find it harder to see grey steps, dark furniture, kerbs, or objects in poorly lit environments. These everyday challenges can make walking in unfamiliar places or low-light settings more difficult. You might still be able to read a standard eye chart quite well, but real-life vision can feel less clear in practical situations. This is why vision problems are not always fully detected during basic checks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cataracts can make this issue worse by scattering light inside the eye and reducing overall contrast. This can make your vision appear washed out or less defined, especially in challenging lighting conditions. These changes are particularly noticeable when driving at night, using stairs, or moving through bathrooms and unfamiliar environments. Understanding contrast sensitivity helps explain why everyday vision difficulties can occur even when basic eyesight tests seem normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Halos Around Lights May Appear<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Halos are rings or glowing circles that you may see around lights. You might notice them around headlights, streetlights, lamps, or bright signs, especially at night. These visual effects can make lights look spread out or less sharp than usual. While occasional mild glare can happen, halos are more noticeable when there is an underlying issue affecting the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Halos can be linked to several eye conditions, including cataracts, dry eye, glasses prescription problems, corneal issues, or other changes in the eye. Cataracts are a particularly common cause because they can cloud the natural lens and scatter light as it enters the eye. This scattering effect can make lights appear blurred or surrounded by rings. As a result, night-time activities such as driving can become more difficult and uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should be aware that new or worsening halos should be checked by an eye care professional, especially if they occur alongside cloudy vision, eye pain, redness, or sudden changes in sight. Cataracts often affect night driving and increase glare symptoms, so assessment is important when halos start to interfere with your daily life. If these symptoms begin to affect your comfort, confidence, or safety, a proper eye examination can help identify the cause and guide suitable treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Cataracts Affect Colour and Brightness Perception<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cataracts can change the way you see colours and brightness. You may notice that colours look dull, faded, or slightly yellowed compared to how they used to appear. This happens because the cloudy lens inside your eye affects how light passes through it. As a result, whites may look less bright and colours may lose their usual sharpness and contrast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The National Eye Institute notes that faded or reduced colour perception can be a later symptom of cataracts. These changes often develop slowly, so you may not notice them at first. Over time, you might realise that your vision does not feel as vibrant or clear as it once did. This can affect how you perceive everyday surroundings and details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reduced colour and brightness perception can also make dim environments feel even more difficult to manage. You may need stronger lighting to carry out daily tasks such as reading, cooking, dressing, or identifying objects. Poorer contrast between colours can make it harder to distinguish details, especially in low-light conditions. If these changes begin to affect your daily life, an eye examination can help determine whether cataracts or another eye condition is responsible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Older Adults May Need More Light to Read<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Many older adults find that they need brighter lighting for everyday close-up tasks such as reading, sewing, cooking, or other detailed work. This happens because less light reaches the retina as you age, and the pupil may not respond as quickly or fully as it once did. At the same time, contrast sensitivity can reduce, making it harder to see fine details in normal lighting. Cataracts can also contribute by clouding the lens and reducing the amount of clear light entering the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is quite common for you to need more light as you get older, and this is often a normal part of ageing vision. However, if you suddenly notice that you need significantly brighter lighting than before, it should be checked by an eye care professional. A rapid change in lighting needs may sometimes indicate an underlying eye condition that needs attention. Gradual changes are expected, but sudden changes are not something to ignore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should also focus on using good quality lighting rather than simply increasing brightness. Even, well-distributed lighting is better than harsh, bright bulbs that create glare or reflections. Too much direct brightness can actually make vision more uncomfortable instead of clearer. Using softer, glare-free lighting can help you see more comfortably while reducing eye strain during daily activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Light Adaptation Problems May Suggest Cataracts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Light and dark adaptation problems may sometimes suggest cataracts, especially when they occur alongside other visual changes. You may notice cloudy or blurred vision, increased glare, halos around lights, faded colours, or difficulty seeing at night. Frequent changes in your glasses prescription can also be a sign that something more than normal ageing is affecting your vision. These symptoms often develop slowly, which means you may not notice them straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cataracts usually form gradually, so it is common for you to adapt to small changes without realising how much your vision has changed. Over time, these changes can make everyday visual tasks feel more difficult. The NHS explains that cataracts involve clouding of the eye lens and are most common in older adults. Because they progress slowly, they can be overlooked in the early stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It becomes especially important to have your eyes assessed when these symptoms begin to affect your daily life. Activities such as night driving, reading, recognising faces, or moving between bright and dim environments may start to feel more challenging. If these changes are interfering with your comfort or confidence, a proper eye examination can help confirm whether cataracts are responsible. Early assessment can help you understand your options and plan the right next steps for your vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Symptoms Could Suggest Another Eye Condition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Not all problems with light and dark adaptation are caused by cataracts. Other eye conditions can also affect how your vision responds to changing lighting. These may include retinal conditions, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, age-related macular degeneration, optic nerve problems, dry eye, corneal disease, side effects from medication, or even an outdated glasses prescription. Each of these can influence how clearly you see in different lighting environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is important to look out for warning signs that need prompt assessment. You should seek urgent advice if you experience sudden vision loss, new flashes of light, a sudden increase in floaters, eye pain, severe light sensitivity, or sudden halos accompanied by headache. A rapid worsening of vision is also a sign that should not be ignored. These symptoms may indicate a more serious condition that requires immediate attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should also be aware that light adaptation problems are not always due to a single cause, and not every older adult simply needs cataract surgery. A full eye examination is needed to understand what is affecting your vision. Different conditions require different treatments, so identifying the exact cause is essential. Proper diagnosis ensures you receive the right care for your specific eye health needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How an Eye Specialist Assesses the Problem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.londoncataractcentre.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/imagess-5-1024x559.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAn eye specialist will usually begin by asking you when your symptoms are most noticeable. You may be asked whether you struggle more in dim rooms, bright sunlight, night driving, glare, reading, or recognising faces. These questions help the clinician understand how your vision is affected in different lighting conditions. This first discussion is an important part of identifying the possible cause of your symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The assessment may then include a range of simple eye tests. These can involve checking your vision, reviewing your glasses prescription, and assessing how your pupils respond to light. A slit lamp examination may be used to look closely at the front of your eye, and cataracts can be graded if present. Your retina may also be examined, your eye pressure may be tested, and scans may be carried out if needed to get a clearer picture of your eye health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This type of detailed examination helps your specialist determine whether your symptoms are caused by cataracts, changes in the retina, dry eye, glaucoma, or another condition. Understanding the exact cause is important because different problems require different approaches to care. In most cases, the examination is straightforward and not painful, and it provides clear information to guide the next steps in your treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Practical Ways to Manage Light-Dark Adaptation Problems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You can make several practical changes to help manage problems with light and dark adaptation. At home, you may benefit from using brighter but softer lighting that reduces harsh shadows and glare. Night lights in hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms can also help you move more safely in low-light conditions. Keeping your glasses clean and ensuring car windscreens are clear can further improve visibility in changing lighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may also find anti-glare lenses and sunglasses helpful, especially when moving between bright and dim environments. These can reduce discomfort from bright lights and improve overall visual comfort outdoors. Try to avoid sudden transitions between very bright and very dark spaces where possible, as this gives your eyes more time to adjust. Small changes like these can make everyday activities feel easier and more manageable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If glare, halos, or delayed adaptation are affecting your confidence or safety, you should be cautious with night driving. Reduced visibility can make it harder to judge distance, see pedestrians, or react to hazards in time. Good lighting and visual aids can reduce the risk of falls and support your independence, but they should not replace a proper eye assessment if your symptoms are worsening. If problems continue, an eye examination is important to identify the underlying cause and guide the right treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cataract Treatment and Light Adaptation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If cataracts are the main reason you are struggling with light adaptation, cataract surgery may help improve clarity, glare symptoms, and overall visual quality. Cataracts make the natural lens cloudy, which can scatter light and make vision feel dull, hazy, or uncomfortable in bright conditions. Moorfields explains that cataract treatment involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens, which can greatly improve vision. Surgery is usually considered when cataracts begin to affect daily life rather than based on the cataract alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- When Cataract Surgery May Be Considered: <\/strong>Cataract surgery may be discussed if your cataracts are affecting reading, driving, work, hobbies, or confidence in different lighting. The decision usually depends on how much the cataract is interfering with your normal activities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How Surgery Can Improve Light Adaptation: <\/strong>By replacing the cloudy lens with a clear artificial lens, surgery can help more light pass through the eye properly. This may improve brightness, contrast, glare symptoms, and the overall quality of your vision.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Assessment Before Surgery: <\/strong>An eye specialist will assess your eyes carefully before recommending surgery. They will check the cataract, your vision, eye health, medical history, and whether any other eye condition could affect the result.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Lens Options, Risks, and Expected Benefits: <\/strong>Before surgery, your specialist should explain the lens options available, the possible risks, and what improvements you can realistically expect. This helps you make an informed decision based on your lifestyle and visual needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cataract surgery can make a meaningful difference when cloudy lenses are affecting your everyday life. It may help you see more clearly, feel more confident in changing light, and manage tasks such as reading or driving more comfortably. However, suitability should always be assessed by an eye specialist. A careful consultation helps ensure the treatment plan is safe, realistic, and matched to your vision goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FAQs:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Why do elderly people struggle to adjust between light and dark?
<\/strong>Elderly people may struggle because ageing can slow how the pupils, lens, and retina respond to changes in lighting. This can make it harder to adjust when moving from bright sunlight into a dark room or from darkness into bright light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Is slower light and dark adaptation normal with age?
<\/strong>Yes, mild slowing can be a normal part of ageing. However, worsening night vision, strong glare, halos, cloudy vision, or sudden changes should be checked by an eye specialist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3. Why do older adults need more light to see clearly?
<\/strong>As you age, the pupil may not widen as much in dim light, and the lens may let less light reach the retina. This can make reading, walking, cooking, and recognising objects harder in low-light conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n4. Can cataracts make light adaptation worse?
<\/strong>Yes, cataracts can make light adaptation worse because they cloud the natural lens and scatter light. This may cause glare, cloudy vision, halos, faded colours, and difficulty seeing at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Why does glare become more noticeable with age?
<\/strong>Glare can become more noticeable because the ageing lens scatters light more, especially if cataracts are present. Bright sunlight, headlights, reflective floors, and digital screens may feel more dazzling or uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n6. Why is night driving harder for older adults?<\/strong>
Night driving can become harder because less light reaches the retina, rod cells become less efficient, and cataracts may increase glare from headlights. This can make it harder to see pedestrians, road signs, and obstacles clearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n7. What are halos around lights?
<\/strong>Halos are rings or glowing circles seen around headlights, streetlights, lamps, or bright signs. They may be linked to cataracts, dry eye, prescription issues, corneal problems, or other eye conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n8. When should light adaptation problems be checked?
<\/strong>You should book an eye examination if you notice worsening night vision, strong glare, halos, cloudy or blurred vision, faded colours, sudden vision changes, or difficulty with daily tasks in changing lighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n9. Can cataract surgery improve glare and night vision?
<\/strong>If cataracts are the main cause, cataract surgery may help improve clarity, glare symptoms, brightness, contrast, and overall visual quality by replacing the cloudy lens with a clear artificial lens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n10. How can elderly people manage light and dark adaptation problems?
<\/strong>Practical steps include using brighter but softer lighting, adding night lights in hallways and bathrooms, wearing sunglasses outdoors, using anti-glare lenses, keeping glasses clean, and avoiding sudden transitions between very bright and very dark spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFinal Thoughts on Light and Dark Adaptation in Older Adults<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Difficulty adjusting between light and dark environments is a common experience as you get older, and in many cases it reflects natural changes in the pupil, lens, and retina rather than a serious problem. However, when symptoms such as glare, halos, cloudy vision, or reduced night vision begin to interfere with your daily activities, it is important not to ignore them. These changes can sometimes be linked to cataracts or other eye conditions that benefit from proper assessment and treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Understanding how your eyes adapt to different lighting conditions can help you make small but meaningful adjustments in your daily life, from improving home lighting to taking extra care when driving at night. Even so, ongoing or worsening symptoms should always be checked by an eye care professional to ensure the underlying cause is correctly identified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re looking to enhance your vision or need personalised guidance, our specialist team at the London Cataract Centre is here to help.<\/a> For further support and expert assessment, you can learn more through the London Cataract Centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
References:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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- Nigalye, A.K., Hess, K., Pundlik, S.J., Jeffrey, B.G., Cukras, C.A. and Husain, D. (2022) Dark adaptation and its role in age-related macular degeneration, Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(5), 1358. Available at: https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/11\/5\/1358<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Aggarwal, P., Nag, T.C. and Wadhwa, S. (2007) Age-related decrease in rod bipolar cell density of the human retina: an immunohistochemical study, Journal of Biosciences, 32(2), pp. 293\u2013298. Available at: https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/17435321\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Chen, K.G., Alvarez, J.A., Yazdanie, M., Papudesu, C., Wong, W.T., Wiley, H.E., Keenan, T.D., Chew, E.Y., Ferris, F.L. and Cukras, C.A. (2019) Longitudinal study of dark adaptation as a functional outcome measure for age-related macular degeneration, Ophthalmology, 126(6), pp. 856\u2013865. Available at: https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8380039\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Owsley, C., Clark, M.E. and McGwin, G. (2017) Natural history of rod-mediated dark adaptation over 2 years in intermediate age-related macular degeneration, Translational Vision Science & Technology, 6(3), 15. Available at: https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC5461063\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Lamb, T.D. and Pugh, E.N. (2004) Dark adaptation and the retinoid cycle of vision, Progress in Retinal and Eye Research, 23(3), pp. 307\u2013380. Available at: https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S1350946204000151<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As you get older, you may notice that your eyes take longer to adjust when moving between bright and dark environments. Walking into a dark room after being outside in bright sunlight may feel disorientating for a few moments. You may also find it harder to adjust after exposure to bright headlights while driving at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5436,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5579","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londoncataractcentre.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5579","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londoncataractcentre.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londoncataractcentre.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londoncataractcentre.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londoncataractcentre.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5579"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.londoncataractcentre.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5579\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5583,"href":"https:\/\/www.londoncataractcentre.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5579\/revisions\/5583"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londoncataractcentre.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5436"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.londoncataractcentre.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5579"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londoncataractcentre.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5579"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.londoncataractcentre.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5579"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- Aggarwal, P., Nag, T.C. and Wadhwa, S. (2007) Age-related decrease in rod bipolar cell density of the human retina: an immunohistochemical study, Journal of Biosciences, 32(2), pp. 293\u2013298. Available at: https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/17435321\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How Surgery Can Improve Light Adaptation: <\/strong>By replacing the cloudy lens with a clear artificial lens, surgery can help more light pass through the eye properly. This may improve brightness, contrast, glare symptoms, and the overall quality of your vision.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Why Dim Light Becomes Harder With Age: <\/strong>In older adults, the pupil may not open as widely in low light. This can make darker environments feel harder to manage because the eye receives less light than it did before.<\/li>\n\n\n\n