Your Vision at Night
Driving in the evening or at night may be an everyday activity, but for some, it can be a challenge. As you get older, it’s common for your night vision to decline. The glare of street lights or tail lights, headlights from oncoming cars, and the general darkness of the sky, are all factors that make driving at night difficult.
Difficulty driving at night could mean that you need glasses. But it might also mean that you are experiencing other eye problems, such as cataracts. A few of the symptoms include:
- Inability to see road signs clearly
- Reduced peripheral vision
- Difficulty distinguishing colors
- Slow adaption between bright and dim lighting
If you are experiencing any of these problems when driving at night, make an appointment with your optometrist or ophthalmologist. Even if you don’t need glasses during the day, your doctor may suggest for you to wear glasses when driving at night. You can purchase special night driving glasses with anti-reflective coating, which help reduce glare and sharpen your vision. Lenses with wavefront diagnostic technology will help reduce halos, glares and other similar light effects.
If you don’t wear glasses or contacts, but are looking for additional tips for safe night driving, consider the following:
- Adjust the interior lighting (dashboard, gears, etc.)
- Avoid staring directly into lights
- Clean your headlights
- Don’t drive when you are tired
- Eat foods that are rich in Vitamin A (The adage of “eat more carrots” is true.)
Routine eye exams are important in maintaining a health you. If you have a family history of Diabetes or Glaucoma, it’s recommended that you have your eyes checked every one or two years.
