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nyctalopia

nyctalopia

9.9
A condition in which a person cannot see well in dim light or at night
  • noun
  • /nɪkˈtæləpiə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : nyctalopía
  • A hereditary form of nyctalopia is linked to certain retinal diseases.

Examples

  • People with nyctalopia may struggle to drive safely after sunset.

  • Vitamin A supplements can sometimes help improve nyctalopia caused by dietary deficiency.

  • He suffers from nyctalopia and struggles to see at night.

  • Many people with nyctalopia avoid driving after dark.

  • After the diagnosis of nyctalopia, I learned to avoid driving at night due to my poor night vision.

  • People with nyctalopia often struggle to see well in dimly lit rooms or during the evening.

  • Living with nyctalopia can be challenging, especially when navigating dark environments.

Synonyms

night blindness
vsnyctalopia
  • Specialized
3 4.7

Trouble seeing in low light or at night

is the clinical medical term for the same condition
moon blindness
vsnyctalopia
  • Archaic
9.8

Poor sight at night in people and animals often caused by lack of vitamin A

is about difficulty seeing in low light rather than complete vision loss

Antonyms

11 3.8

Ability to see in low light or darkness

How Well

night vision
11 3.8
nyctalopia
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

nyctalopia singular
nyctalopias plural

Morphology

nyctalopia = nyctal + opia

Formed from Greek combining elements nyctal- ('night') + -opia ('vision'), which are not productive or recognizable English morphemes for average learners, so the meaning 'night blindness' is not derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Nyctalopia comes from Greek parts nyctal- meaning 'night' and -opia meaning 'sight', like in myopia. So it refers to seeing at night, and today nyctalopia means trouble seeing in low light, or 'night blindness'.