Our eyes are complex organs. It requires several different functionalities to make sure that what you see is clear and accurate and that information is quickly transmitted to your brain. However, your eyes don’t always have the perfect conditions to see in – steady bright light, no fog or mist, and high contrast environments. When it comes to seeing in low light, you need your scotopic vision firing on all cylinders.

What Is Scotopic Vision?

Scotopic vision is the term used to describe your eyes’ ability to see in dim lighting conditions. This ability is controlled by the photoreceptors called rods, visual cells that are also responsible for perceiving the size, shape, and brightness of visual images. While these photoreceptors don’t pick up color and fine detail, they are imperative to functioning in less-than-perfect viewing environments.

Why Is Scotopic Vision Important?

Life doesn’t end when the sun goes down, so we need to be able to see well enough at night and other low-light situations. Scotopic vision helps us do just that. While we now have artificial lighting in many cases, if your scotopic vision is not functioning at its best, these lights may not be enough. It’s common for this visual function to degrade over time, so seeing and moving around at night can become difficult with age. If scotopic vision becomes too poor, it can mean the end of independence.

How Can I Improve My Scotopic Vision?

There are a few ways to improve low light vision. One simple way is by using brighter lighting at home to make moving around after dark easier. LED lightbulbs can offer a bright white light that closer resembles sunlight to help better illuminate the house. It’s also suggested to keep a small LED flashlight handy for when you’re outside the home. However, this is not a permanent fix and doesn’t actually improve your scotopic vision.

Nutrition

Studies show that by improving your macular pigment optical density (MPOD), you can improve your scotopic vision. This protective pigment can be altered by eating foods that contain two powerful antioxidants called zeaxanthin and lutein. These nutrients work together to protect your photoreceptors from damage and can improve their ability to function.

However, the average American diet is seriously lacking the daily intake of these antioxidants, making it difficult to get the amounts you need through diet alone. That’s why many eye care professionals recommend supplementation for their patients. EyePromise eye vitamins are the only supplements on the market that provide the amounts of zeaxanthin and lutein necessary to guarantee an increase in MPOD in 6 months. Find out which EyePromise vitamin is right for your eye health.

Life isn’t always going to be bright, colorful, high-contrast situations. Sometimes, you need to navigate the dark and gloomy parts, and scotopic vision helps you do that. Make sure you’re taking care of it and all your visual functions by scheduling your annual eye exam.