A new local health piece on night blindness has highlighted practical prevention steps and introduced a Consultant Optometrist based in Lautoka, underscoring renewed attention to eye care in the western division. The article, published today, names Ukash Manger as Consultant Optometrist at Asgar Optometrist’s Lautoka branch and frames the condition—also called nyctalopia—as a symptom of underlying eye problems rather than a standalone disease.
Night blindness describes difficulty seeing in low light or after sunset, making everyday tasks such as driving at night, walking in dimly lit areas, or adjusting to sudden changes in light more hazardous. The report emphasises one of the most common and preventable causes: vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A is crucial for retinal function in low-light conditions, and insufficient intake can impair night vision. The article lists vitamin A–rich foods that can help maintain healthy eyesight, including mangoes, papaya, cantaloupe (rockmelon), carrots, spinach, watermelon, sweet potatoes, eggs, fish and milk.
Beyond nutritional causes, the piece details other conditions that can produce night blindness. Cataracts, which cloud the lens and reduce light reaching the retina, and glaucoma, which damages the optic nerve, are named as significant medical causes. Uncorrected refractive errors such as myopia (near-sightedness) can also worsen night vision, as can inherited retinal disorders such as retinitis pigmentosa. The article stresses that, because night blindness commonly signals a broader eye health issue, timely professional assessment is important.
Prevention strategies set out in the article focus on addressing underlying causes: maintaining a balanced diet rich in vitamin A, wearing prescribed corrective lenses, protecting eyes from strain, and managing chronic illnesses—particularly diabetes, which can affect retinal health. Regular eye examinations are highlighted as essential for early detection of conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma, which can be treated more effectively when caught early.
The naming of Ukash Manger as Consultant Optometrist at Asgar Optometrist’s Lautoka branch is the new local development in the report. His presence in Lautoka, Fiji’s second-largest city and a major hub on Viti Levu’s west coast, is presented alongside the health advice as a point of access for residents who may need assessment, prescription lenses or referrals for further treatment. The article positions this as timely given the practical safety risks night blindness poses for drivers and those working or travelling after dark.
This update aims to raise awareness about night blindness among Fijians and to encourage community members to seek professional eye care rather than assuming difficulty seeing at night is a normal part of ageing. By combining lifestyle and dietary advice with a reminder to obtain regular eye checks—and by identifying a named local optometrist—health advocates hope to reduce preventable vision problems and catch treatable conditions earlier.
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