Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
Round beauty face logo

Call Us Today

US

(480) 889-6044

[email protected]

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • New Patient Center
    • Online Forms
    • Insurance & Payments
    • Ocular Emergencies
  • Eyecare Services
    • Eye & Vision Exams
    • Contact Lens Exams
    • HD Refractions
    • Our Surgeons
    • Lasik Eye Surgery
  • Frame Selection
  • Payment Options
  • About Us
    • Meet The Optometrist
    • Meet The Staff
  • Contact Us / Hours
  • Yelp Reviews
  • Google Reviews
  • Community Content
    • Eyeglasses
    • Basic Visual Skills
    • All About Eyes
    • Protecting Your Eyes
    • Visual Rehabilitation
    • Pediatric Vision Issues
    • Glasses
    • Contact Lenses
    • Common Eye Conditions
      • Vision Impairment
      • Eye Lids
      • Age-Related
      • Injury & Irritation
      • Changes in Appearance
      • Cognitive and Acquired
    • Vision Problems
    • Eye Symptoms
    • Eye Diseases
    • A Child's Vision
    • What is Vision Therapy
    • Vision Therapy Programs
    • We Can Help With
      • Cataracts
      • Corneal Disorders
        • Disorders
      • Glaucoma
      • Refractive Disorders
      • Adult Strabismus
      • Retinal Disorders
    • Newsletters
      • Glasses & Frames
      • Contacts
      • Tips for Healthy Eyes
      • Conditions That Affect Vision
      • Kid's Vision
      • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
      • Medical Perspectives
  • Blog
  • Locations
  • Covid 19 Policy
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletters >
  • The Challenges of Night Driving and Your Vision

The Challenges of Night Driving and Your Vision

  • Created in Newsletters

Man driving at night

Do You Have Trouble Seeing While Driving at Night?

No matter what your age, night driving can be a little challenging, whether you're driving around the corner or across the country. Low lighting, glare, and other factors may make it difficult to see clearly and react quickly to hazards.

Why Driving Is Harder at Night

Your ability to drive safely at night may be affected by:

  • Availability of Street Lights. It's obviously more difficult to see in areas that aren't well lit. UK researchers discovered that injury severity increased by almost three times if an accident occurred on a road that had no lighting.
  • Glare. Glare, depending on the amount, can be a minor annoyance and or may make it impossible to see. You may experience more problems with glare from oncoming headlights as you get older.
  • Headlight and Windshield Problems. Dirty windshields and hazy or misaligned headlights can contribute to night vision problems.
  • Age-Related Vision Changes. In addition to trouble handling glare, natural changes in your vision related to aging may make night driving harder. As you get older, the muscles that control your pupil weaken, and the pupil becomes a little smaller. This means less light enters your eyes when it's dark. Rod cells also decline as you get older. These photoreceptor cells, located in the retina, are essential for good night vision.
  • Eye Diseases and Conditions. You may notice problems with glare and see halos around lights at night if you have cataracts. Cataracts occur when the clear lenses inside your eyes become cloudy. Other eye diseases and conditions that may affect night driving include macular degeneration, vitamin A deficiency, glaucoma, and retinal diseases.
  • Dry Eyes. Glare may seem worse if your eyes are too dry.

What You Can Do if You Have Trouble Driving at Night

Taking a few of these steps can help you drive safely:

  • Avoid Looking Directly at Lights. Minimize the effects of glare by shifting your gaze slightly to the side when oncoming cars come close to you.
  • Get Rid of Haze on Your Headlights. Discolorations on plastic headlight coverings can dim your headlights, making it difficult to see at night. If cleaning doesn't clear the headlight covers, buy new ones.
  • Realign Your Headlights: It's difficult to see the road ahead of you if your headlights aren't properly aligned. The next time you visit a mechanic, request to have your headlight alignment checked.
  • Do a Little Cleaning. Keeping headlights and your windshield clean will make it easier to find your exit or spot an obstruction in the road.
  • Keep Your Eyes Moist. Use artificial tears to lubricate your eyes if you have dry eyes. Blink more often to spread tears across your eyes.
  • Reduce Your Speed. Slow down if you're having trouble seeing. Decreasing your speed is a simple way to ensure that you reach your destination safely.
  • Drive During the Day if You Have Difficulty Seeing at Night. It's best to limit long trips, or even short ones, to the daylight hours if it's very difficult to see at night.
  • Visit Your Optometrist. If you've noticed that it's harder to see at night lately, it's a good idea to visit your eye doctor. Your optometrist can determine if the problem is caused by natural aging changes or eye diseases and conditions, like cataracts or glaucoma. If you do have a vision problem, your optometrist can recommend treatments or strategies that may help.

Are you concerned about your night driving ability? Call our office to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

Injury Prevention: Road Traffic Casualties: Understanding the Night-Time Death Toll, 4/2006
American Academy of Ophthalmology: Night Vision 12/19/18
Harvard Health Publishing: Blinded by the Night, 6/07

Car and Driver: Do and Don’ts For Safe Night Driving, 7/2/19

American Optometric Association: Senior Vision: Over 60 Years of Age

Safety Serve: Driving at Night

The National Safety Council: The Most Dangerous Time to Drive

  • Eyeglasses
  • Basic Visual Skills
  • All About Eyes
  • Protecting Your Eyes
  • Visual Rehabilitation
  • Pediatric Vision Issues
  • Glasses
  • Contact Lenses
  • Common Eye Conditions
    • Vision Impairment
    • Eye Lids
    • Age-Related
    • Injury & Irritation
    • Changes in Appearance
    • Cognitive and Acquired
  • Vision Problems
  • Eye Symptoms
  • Eye Diseases
  • A Child's Vision
  • What is Vision Therapy
  • Vision Therapy Programs
  • We Can Help With
    • Cataracts
    • Corneal Disorders
      • Disorders
    • Glaucoma
    • Refractive Disorders
    • Adult Strabismus
    • Retinal Disorders
  • Newsletters
    • Glasses & Frames
    • Contacts
    • Tips for Healthy Eyes
    • Conditions That Affect Vision
    • Kid's Vision
    • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
    • Medical Perspectives
  • Online Forms

    Our patient forms are available online so they can be completed in the convenience of your own home or office.
  • Call For An Appointment

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Schedule an appointment today!
  • Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients/ learn more about all the services we provide.

Office Hours

Monday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-2:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Office Hours

Testimonial

  • "Dr. O'Daniel is wonderful! After visiting 2 other doctors regarding problems with my eyes, I decided to visit Dr. O'Daniel who has finally given me a plan to make my eyes feel better and after months of pouring money down the drain and agony, they do! He really took the time to sit with me during my appointment and helped me to understand what was going on with my eyes. He knows his stuff and he is now my official eye doctor!"
    Michelle L / Phoenix, AZ
  • How Your Tears Work and Their Importance for Vision

    Do you know how your tears help keep your eyes healthy? ...

    Read More
  • Good Eye Health Is Essential for Athletes

    Do you know how eye health affects your sports ability? ...

    Read More
  • Symptoms of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

    Do you know how age-related macular degeneration can affect your vision? ...

    Read More
  • How to Keep Your Eyes Safe From Germs

    Want to avoid colds and other viruses? Taking a few steps to protect your eyes can help. ...

    Read More
  • How Sleep Can Affect Your Vision

    Do you have trouble sleeping? Sleep problems may increase your risk of eye diseases and conditions. ...

    Read More
  • The Effects of Smoking on Your Eye Health

    Do you know how smoking can harm your eyes? ...

    Read More
  • Getting Your Child Accustomed to New Glasses

    Is your child struggling to adjust to new glasses? Try a few of these tips. ...

    Read More
  • Daily Habits That May Be Harming Your Eye Health

    Could any of these habits be hurting your eyes? ...

    Read More
  • Cold Weather and Your Eyes

    Are your eyes dry and uncomfortable? The cold weather may be to blame. ...

    Read More
  • The Challenges of Night Driving and Your Vision

    Do you dread driving at night? Trying a few of these tips may make night driving less stressful. ...

    Read More

Newsletter Sign Up

Social Media

Follow Us

  • Copyright © 2021 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • ACA Notices