Night blindness, also known as nyctalopia, is diminished vision in low light conditions. It can be caused by vitamin A deficiency, genetic conditions like retinitis pigmentosa, or eye diseases such as glaucoma or pathological myopia. Vitamin A deficiency causes night blindness by inhibiting the production of rhodopsin in the retina, which is needed for low light vision. Retinitis pigmentosa causes progressive night blindness and eventual daytime vision loss by the gradual loss of rod cells in the retina. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, such as vitamin A supplements for deficiencies or refractive surgery for myopia.