The Safe Driver

How to correct blurred vision while driving at night

It’s a fact, I have myopia. Don’t worry, it’s not contagious. It actually means I have nearsightedness. As most people with nearsightedness, I wear corrective lenses to deal with this. For those who may not realize, they may also have a form of nearsightedness called night myopia. It can also be treated, but it should not be ignored.

By definition, myopia is a visual defect which causes objects in the distance to become blurred. Night myopia has the same affects, but only in low light conditions. This usually affecting younger individuals, such as teens and those in their twenties but can also affect many in their thirties. In typical daylight conditions they would experience normal vision, but in low light conditions, such as driving at night with just headlights to light up the road, may experience a temporary form of myopia. This is commonly referred to as night myopia.

Typically drivers would be able to refocus on objects around them in low light conditions, but if you can’t you should not ignore it but have your vision tested by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. If your vision was clear and sharp throughout the daylight hours but had somewhat blurred vision in low light conditions, you would most likely end up just having to wear glasses while driving at night. It can be an easy fix to solve this issue. Some people have tried an easier fix, which turns out not to be a fix at all.

For years I’ve seen advertisements showing how a yellow lens pair of glasses can sharpen your vision. The opposite is true. A yellow lens can brighten your surroundings using the small amount of light that is available. However, these yellow lenses require you to have some light to work properly. This is mainly because the benefits are gone once it’s fully dark. After it’s dark, they can’t help improve your visibility. So save your money and put it towards regular glasses.

Don’t confuse the poor visibility of driving at night to night myopia. It’s normal to see less things while driving at night compared to daylight. Let a professional assess your vision and go from there. However, there are a few things you can do to ensure you can see as well as possible while driving at night;

• Always wear an up-to-date pair of glasses or contact lenses

• Ensure your eyes are examined regularly, at least every 2 years

• Keep a spare pair of glasses in the vehicle if at all possible

• Avoid using a tinted lens

• Keep the windshield clean, inside and out

• Ensure your vehicle’s lighting is working properly and the lens’ are clear

Driving is done with your eyes. Your hands and feet are only tools for what your eyes see. That is, provided your eyes can pick up the dangers we face each time we drive, including while driving at night.

**Have a quick listen to this short episode of the “Speed Bumps” podcast as it discusses driving at night.