Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate and to quantify the prevalence of night vision impairment among pilgrims participating in Hajj and to evaluate the effects of such impairment on both safety outcomes and the fulfilment of ceremonial duties.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1,530 pilgrims who performed Hajj between 2015 and 2025 completed the validated Night Vision Questionnaire (NVQ-10). Descriptive and inferential analyses examined associations between NVQ-10 scores, demographics, health status, incidents, and adaptive behaviors.
Results: The mean NVQ-10 score was 18.3 ± 9.3, indicating mild-to-moderate difficulty. Nearly 39% reported falls or injuries, with 18% attributing incidents directly to poor night vision. Higher scores were significantly associated with older age, chronic illness, lower education, and use of corrective lenses (p < 0.05). Common coping strategies included cautious walking (48.1%), handheld lights (31.9%), and reliance on companions (30.1%). Most participants (71.6%) were unaware of available support services, and only 6.3% used night vision devices.
Conclusion: Night vision difficulties pose measurable safety risks during Hajj, particularly among vulnerable groups. Enhanced lighting, pre-Hajj vision screening, and improved access to assistive devices are recommended to reduce preventable injuries and improve ritual accessibility.

Key words: Night vision, Hajj, visual impairment, NVQ-10, personal safety, vision aids, pilgrims, Saudi Arabia