It is no surprise that driving a vehicle at night is quite different than driving one during the day. Nevada is no exception to this distinction. For individuals who suffer from night blindness, a condition known as nyctalopia, driving in the dark can be even more difficult and challenging.
Understanding Nyctalopia
Nyctalopia, or night blindness, is a medical condition that makes it difficult to see in poor light or at night. Night blindness comes from a disorder of the cells in the eyes’ retinas that allow the person to see dim lighting. This condition is not really a disease but, instead, is a symptom of another medical problem such as nearsightedness that goes untreated. Other causes of nyctalopia include:
- Glaucoma;
- Cataracts;
- Diabetes;
- Retinitis pigmentosa;
- Keratoconus;
- Vitamin A deficiency; and
- Glaucoma medications.
Should you or someone you care about experience night blindness, there are things that can be done to stay safe while driving in the dark.
How to Stay Safe
There are several ways in which you can stay safe on the road if you have night blindness, even if you are driving after hours. These include:
- Do not look at oncoming vehicles: Staring directly into bright headlights will make it even more difficult to see and increase the risk of an accident;
- Focus on lane markers: When you are experiencing oncoming traffic, instead of looking at the cars keep an eye on the lane markers until the vehicle has passed;
- Blink frequently: Trying to focus will likely keep you from doing so, however, it could dry out your eyes more quickly and make it harder to see;
- Slow down: If you need to, drive slower when it is dark than you normally would in the daytime until you reach your destination.
If you follow the above tips, you can improve your chances of avoiding a night-blindness-related car accident in Nevada.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today
In Las Vegas, and across Nevada, there are a million reasons to drive at night. For some, this can be a life-threatening proposition. If you have been injured in a car crash that was caused by your or someone else’s night blindness, an experienced LAs Vegas car accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your injuries. Call the Matt Pfau Law Group today to schedule you initial consultation.
