Congenital Stationary Night Blindness

Congenital stationary night blindness is an inherited retinal condition in which the rod cells do not signal properly, causing lifelong difficulty seeing in dim light without further progression.

Common symptoms

Poor vision in the dark from childhood, sometimes with reduced central vision, nystagmus, short-sightedness, and difficulty adapting from bright to dim conditions.

Description

Congenital stationary night blindness is caused by changes in genes that affect how signals pass from the rod cells of the retina to the rest of the visual system. As the name suggests, it is present from birth and, unlike retinitis pigmentosa, does not usually get worse over time.

There are several genetic forms, and the impact varies. Some people have mainly night vision difficulty with near-normal daytime sight, while others have additional features such as nystagmus, mild short-sightedness, and reduced daytime vision.

There is no specific cure, but management includes glasses for any refractive error, good environmental lighting, and advice about safety in low-light conditions. Genetic testing is useful for confirming the diagnosis and distinguishing it from progressive conditions like retinitis pigmentosa.