Fear of the dark is common in children. For most children, the fear lessens as they get a older. A rare few have vision problems. One such rare problem, congenital stationary night blindness, has recently received some attention.
Unlike most people, children with this inherited condition can't see at all in a darkened room. Their rods, the part of the retina that processes black and white vision, are not working properly, resulting in impaired night vision.
The diagnosis is made by special testing performed by an ophthalmologist. This condition doesn't worsen. There is no medical treatment. The use of a night light or leaving the bedroom door ajar, letting in light from the hall, is the best way to help lessen the child's fear.
British Medical Journal, 3/25/03, pp. 211-212.
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