Driving at night can be challenging for anyone. But for those with astigmatism, halos around lights and increased glare can make night driving difficult and, at times, unsafe.
However, there are ways to make night driving more comfortable:
- Make sure you have appropriate eyewear
- Try using anti-glare glasses
- Use rewetting eye drops if you wear contact lenses
- Keep your windshield, windows, and headlights clean
- Drive safely and carefully in challenging conditions
If you suspect you have astigmatism, the only way to know for sure is through an eye exam. Your optometrist can assess your eyes and help determine personalized solutions.
What Is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is a common refractive error that occurs when the cornea or lens is irregularly shaped. This prevents light from focusing normally on the retina, the light-sensitive surface at the back of the eye.
Seeing clearly—especially in low-light conditions like nighttime—can be challenging for people with astigmatism.
Causes & Symptoms
The exact causes of astigmatism are unclear, but it can develop at birth, during childhood, or as a result of an eye injury or surgical procedure.
Symptoms of astigmatism include:
- Blurry, distorted vision
- Needing to squint
- Eye strain and headaches
- Difficulty seeing clearly at night
Diagnosis & Treatment
Your optometrist can diagnose astigmatism with a comprehensive eye exam. They can test how your eyes bend light to determine the degree of your astigmatism and the necessary optical lens power needed to correct it.
Treatments typically include wearing prescription glasses or toric contact lenses, designed to help correct astigmatism.
Tips for Driving at Night with Astigmatism
If you struggle with driving at night due to your astigmatism, consider the following tips.
Get Appropriate Eyewear
First, make sure to update your prescription eyewear. Your eye doctor can assess your astigmatism and eyesight to determine a proper prescription. Routine eye exams help ensure your prescription is up-to-date.
Specialized eyeglass lenses can address not just astigmatism but also myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness).
People with astigmatism should consider toric contact lenses, which have a slightly different shape.
Try Anti-Glare Eyewear for Night Driving
Anti-glare glasses typically have yellow lenses that reduce glare by filtering blue light. Some eyeglasses can have an anti-reflective coating to help reduce glare at night.
However, it’s important to consider that windshields sometimes already come with anti-glare or anti-reflective coating that helps reduce glare. If you want to try anti-glare eyewear, consult your optometrist to determine if this option is right for you.
Use Rewetting Eyedrops If You Wear Contact Lenses
Dryness can negatively impact your vision, often causing blurred vision.
Dry eyes can also cause excessively watery eyes, which can cause soft toric lenses to rotate, making them less clear.
If you wear contact lenses, keep rewetting drops nearby to maintain comfort. Make sure the rewetting drops you buy are made for your contact lenses.
Some eye drops may temporarily lead to cloudy vision, so you will have to wait for your vision to clear before driving. If you’re unsure if you have the right eye drops, consult your optometrist.
Keep Up with Car Maintenance
Sometimes, night driving conditions can be improved by simple car maintenance habits. Areas you’ll want to remember to keep clean include:
- The windshield
- Mirrors
- Windows
- Headlights
Windshield wipers should also be maintained regularly.
Additionally, if you wear eyeglasses, you should keep their lenses clean to minimize blurry vision as much as possible.
Reduce All Lights Inside the Car
Dim your dashboard lights to make them less distracting. If you’re using a GPS, you should also adjust the screen accordingly.
Some cars also have a night mode setting on their rear-view mirror to help reduce glare from other cars’ headlights.
Drive Carefully & Safely
At the end of the day, your safety and the safety of those around you are most important. Whether you have astigmatism or not, everyone should drive carefully in low-light conditions.
If you find it more difficult to drive with harsh glare, drive with extra caution. Avoid staring at oncoming headlights. You should also avoid distractions and make sure you’re fully alert.
If astigmatism affects your ability to drive safely, consider switching drivers if possible. If you continue to experience difficult driving at night, consider transportation alternatives. Ride-sharing services, public transit, carpooling, or even taking a taxi are smart ways to move around until you consult your eye doctor for tailored solutions.
Correcting Astigmatism
Driving at night with astigmatism can be daunting. but there are solutions available. From prescription glasses and toric contact lenses to car maintenance and careful driving, nighttime driving can be made safer and more comfortable.
If you believe you have astigmatism, visiting an optometrist is a good first step. Seal Beach Eyes Optometry can help evaluate your eyesight and recommend appropriate solutions accordingly Contact us today to book an appointment.
