Night Driving and Glare: How the Right Lenses Can Help

Night driving can become more challenging when headlights appear painfully bright, streetlights develop halos or road markings seem harder to see.

Lower light levels naturally make visual tasks more demanding. However, an outdated prescription, dirty or damaged lenses and certain eye conditions can make the problem worse.

Why Is Night Driving More Difficult?

At night, there is less contrast between objects and their surroundings. Your pupils become larger to allow more light into the eyes, which can make certain focusing imperfections more noticeable.

Bright headlights against a dark background can also create uncomfortable glare. Rain, fog and wet pavement add reflections that make the road even harder to read.

Start With a Current Prescription

Even a small uncorrected prescription may become more noticeable at night than it is during the day.

Astigmatism, nearsightedness and other focusing conditions may cause lights to appear blurry, stretched or surrounded by halos. A comprehensive eye exam can determine whether a prescription change or another eye-related issue is contributing to the problem.

Do not compensate by squinting through every evening drive like you are personally

suspicious of the highway.

Anti-Reflective Coatings May Help

Untreated lenses reflect some of the light that reaches their surfaces. An anti-reflective coating is designed to reduce reflections on the front and back of the lenses.

This may improve the appearance of the glasses and allow more light to pass through the lenses, which can be helpful in low-light situations.

Anti-reflective coatings do not turn night into daytime or eliminate every source of glare. They may, however, improve clarity and comfort for many wearers when paired with an accurate prescription and properly fitted lenses.

Keep Your Glasses Clean

Smudges, dust and scratches scatter light. During the day, a dirty lens may be mildly annoying. At night, every fingerprint can seemingly develop its own glowing personality.

Before driving:

• Clean both sides of your lenses.

• Use an appropriate lens spray or rinse away abrasive debris.

• Dry the lenses with a clean microfibre cloth.

• Check for widespread scratches or damaged coatings.

• Make sure the frame sits straight and securely.

If your lenses remain cloudy after proper cleaning, the coating may be damaged or the lenses may need replacement.

Do Not Forget the Windshield

Glare does not always come from your glasses. A hazy film on the inside of the windshield can scatter oncoming light.

Clean both the inside and outside of the windshield, replace worn wiper blades and keep the washer-fluid reservoir filled. Dirt, rain and streaks can greatly reduce contrast.

You can also dim dashboard lights so they are bright enough to read without competing with your view of the road.

Avoid Dark or Yellow-Tinted Lenses at Night

Dark sunglasses reduce the amount of light reaching your eyes and should not be worn for night driving.

Yellow or amber “night-driving” lenses are often marketed as a glare solution. However, any tint reduces some light transmission. Before using a tinted lens behind the wheel at night, discuss the option with an eye-care professional and ensure it is appropriate and legal for driving.

A clear lens with an accurate prescription and a quality anti-reflective coating is generally the more sensible starting point.

Glare Can Sometimes Signal an Eye Condition

Increasing glare and difficulty driving at night may occur with cataracts and other eye conditions. Halos can also have several possible causes.

Book an eye exam when night-driving difficulties are new, worsening or noticeably different between the two eyes.

Stop driving and seek prompt care if you experience sudden vision loss, sudden double vision, severe pain or another abrupt visual change.

Make Night Driving More Comfortable

Good night-driving vision begins with healthy eyes, a current prescription, properly fitted lenses and clean eyewear.

At 3 for 1 Glasses, we can explain anti-reflective lens options, inspect your current glasses and help you choose eyewear suited to your daily driving needs.

Visit us at 1550 Upper James Street in Hamilton, or contact us to ask about current eye-exam availability.